Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs Springfield, IL (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Kansas City is 31% more expensive than Springfield.

$1,186/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 20%
$67,449/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↓ 3%
$227,000 ↑ 46%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 32%
$1,205/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 19%
508,233
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $241/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $2,892/year.

Median household income is $1,912/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs Springfield — common questions

Is Kansas City or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and Springfield?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $241/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or Springfield?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $1,912/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Kansas City details → View Springfield details →

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