Cost of Living: Kansas City, MO vs The Woodlands, TX (2026)

Kansas City

Missouri
80
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

Kansas City is 42% cheaper than The Woodlands.

$1,186/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↑ 51%
$67,449/yr ↓ 52%
Median Income
$141,353/yr ↑ 110%
$227,000 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$479,400 ↑ 111%
$1,205/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↑ 66%
508,233
Population
116,916

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

21.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Kansas City, MO and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $606/month cheaper in Kansas City, saving renters about $7,272/year.

Median household income is $73,904/year higher in The Woodlands. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Kansas City is $227,000 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

Texas has no state income tax, giving The Woodlands residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is Kansas City or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kansas City is cheaper to live in with an index of 80 compared to 139 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Kansas City and The Woodlands?
Median rent in Kansas City is $1,186/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $606/month.
Which city has higher income, Kansas City or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $73,904/year higher in The Woodlands.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Texas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Kansas City or The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. Kansas City has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,186/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Kansas City details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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