St. Louis vs Kansas City: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between St. Louis, MO and Kansas City, MO. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
St. Louis
Missouri
Cost Index95.1
Median Rent$997/mo
Median Income$56K
State Tax5.3%
Below Average
City B
Kansas City
Missouri
Cost Index92.5
Median Rent$1,238/mo
Median Income$69K
State Tax5.3%
Below Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Kansas City to match your lifestyle in St. Louis?
$80,000
St. Louis
$80,000
Cost Index: 95.1
Kansas City
$77,859
Cost Index: 92.5
You need $2,141 less in Kansas City 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-2.7%
St. Louis95.1
Kansas City92.5
Median Rent+24.2%
St. Louis$997
Kansas City$1K
Median Income+23.2%
St. Louis$56K
Kansas City$69K
Grocery Index-67.9%
St. Louis311.6
Kansas City100.0
Utilities Index~equal
St. Louis100.0
Kansas City100.0
Transportation-58.0%
St. Louis238.1
Kansas City100.0
Healthcare~equal
St. Louis100.0
Kansas City100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
St. Louis5.30%
Kansas City5.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
St. Louis: Pros & Cons
Lower rent — $997/mo vs $1,238/mo
3% higher overall cost of living
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 vs Kansas City – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between St. Louis and Kansas City.
St. Louis has a cost of living index of 95.1, while Kansas City scores 92.5. St. Louis is approximately -2.7% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in St. Louis is $997/month compared to $1,238/month in Kansas City — a difference of 24%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 97% of your St. Louis salary to maintain the same standard of living in Kansas City. For example, a $75,000 salary in St. Louis would need to be about $72,993 in Kansas City. 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.
St. Louis has a median household income of $56,160 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Kansas City has a median household income of $69,166 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.