Cost of living in Kansas City, MO Livability score 67 · cost-of-living index 93.2 (US = 100)
How Kansas City compares Where Kansas City falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 93 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 93 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $330k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $330k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $188 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $188 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.4% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.4% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.14% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.14% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 490 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 490 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 14.0 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 14.0 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 89° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 89° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 22° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 22° Map of Kansas City Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 93.2 #76 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.6 #99 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.30 #74 of 200 Median household income $78,827 #64 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $45,704 #36 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 4.18% #32 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +4.9% #83 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $329,641 #92 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.2× #65 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +3.5% #41 of 200 Price per square foot $188 #102 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,750 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,548 #94 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 6,593 Median days on market 5 #1 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 9.3% #58 of 200 Combined sales tax 8.38% #135 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 4.80% Capital gains tax 4.80% #109 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.14% #123 of 200 Median property tax paid $2,793 #110 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,400 #32 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $10,000 #58 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $90 #74 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 2.55% of value (~$714/yr) #192 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 5 Avg commute to work 23 min #75 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 14.0¢/kWh #13 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $126 #13 of 200 Gasoline $3.00/gal #24 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $2,400 #139 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,800 #83 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $750 #90 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $400 #163 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 53 #157 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,500 #110 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 4,700 #116 of 200 Avg summer high 89°F #113 of 200 Avg winter low 22°F #130 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6b Frost window 04-20 → 10-20
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 490 #153 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,600 #157 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 35 #133 of 200 Parks 53 Hiking areas 28 Golf courses 25 Shooting ranges 7 Lakes 12
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Find a job in Kansas City Affiliate disclosure: some links on this site are affiliate links —
we may earn a commission when you use them, at no extra cost to you.
Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.