Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Kansas City, KS (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Kansas City

Kansas City
65

St. Louis and Kansas City have a similar cost of living.

$978/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,073/mo ↑ 10%
$55,279/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$59,183/yr ↑ 7%
$185,100 ↑ 26%
Home Value
$147,100 ↓ 21%
$1,013/mo ↓ 4%
Owner Costs
$1,054/mo ↑ 4%
293,109
Population
154,776

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.7%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, KS, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 65 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $95/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,140/year.

Median household income is $3,904/year higher in Kansas City. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $147,100 in Kansas City.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Kansas City — common questions

Is St. Louis or Kansas City cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Kansas City is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Kansas City?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Kansas City it's $1,073/month — a difference of $95/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Kansas City?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $59,183 in Kansas City. Median household income is $3,904/year higher in Kansas City.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Kansas?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Kansas City has a cost index of 65 with rent of $1,073/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Kansas City details →

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