Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs Syracuse, NY (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

Syracuse

New York
59

Kansas City is 36% more expensive than Syracuse.

$1,186/mo ↑ 19%
Median Rent
$998/mo ↓ 16%
$67,449/yr ↑ 47%
Median Income
$45,845/yr ↓ 32%
$227,000 ↑ 81%
Home Value
$125,100 ↓ 45%
$1,205/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$980/mo ↓ 19%
508,233
Population
146,211

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
10.9%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and Syracuse, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 59 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $188/month cheaper in Syracuse, saving renters about $2,256/year.

Median household income is $21,604/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $125,100 in Syracuse.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making Kansas City slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs Syracuse — common questions

Is Kansas City or Syracuse cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Syracuse is cheaper to live in with an index of 59 compared to 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and Syracuse?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in Syracuse it's $998/month — a difference of $188/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or Syracuse?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $45,845 in Syracuse. Median household income is $21,604/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New York?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or Syracuse?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/mo, while Syracuse has a cost index of 59 with rent of $998/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Kansas City details → View Syracuse details →

More Comparisons

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