Kansas City vs St. Louis: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Kansas City, MO and St. Louis, MO. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Kansas City
Missouri
Cost Index92.5
Median Rent$1,238/mo
Median Income$69K
State Tax5.3%
Below Average
Better value overall
City B
St. Louis
Missouri
Cost Index95.1
Median Rent$997/mo
Median Income$56K
State Tax5.3%
Below Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in St. Louis to match your lifestyle in Kansas City?
$80,000
Kansas City
$80,000
Cost Index: 92.5
St. Louis
$82,200
Cost Index: 95.1
You need +$2,200 more in St. Louis to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index+2.8%
Kansas City92.5
St. Louis95.1
Median Rent-19.5%
Kansas City$1K
St. Louis$997
Median Income-18.8%
Kansas City$69K
St. Louis$56K
Grocery Index+211.6%
Kansas City100.0
St. Louis311.6
Utilities Index~equal
Kansas City100.0
St. Louis100.0
Transportation+138.1%
Kansas City100.0
St. Louis238.1
Healthcare~equal
Kansas City100.0
St. Louis100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
Kansas City5.30%
St. Louis5.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
Kansas City: Pros & Cons
3% lower overall cost of living
Higher median income ($69K)
Lower grocery costs
Higher rent — $1,238/mo vs $997/mo
St. Louis: Pros & Cons
Lower rent — $997/mo vs $1,238/mo
3% higher overall cost of living
Kansas City vs St. Louis – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Kansas City and St. Louis.
Kansas City has a cost of living index of 92.5, while St. Louis scores 95.1. St. Louis is approximately 2.8% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Kansas City is $1,238/month compared to $997/month in St. Louis — a difference of 19%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 103% of your Kansas City salary to maintain the same standard of living in St. Louis. For example, a $75,000 salary in Kansas City would need to be about $77,063 in St. Louis. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Kansas City has a median household income of $69,166 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. St. Louis has a median household income of $56,160 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. While income is higher in Kansas City, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.