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

Kansas City has a cost of living index of 88.9, about 11.1% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 85.3. Typical apartment rent is about $1,512 a month, and median home values are around $434,284. The median household income is approximately $62,000. Kansas City straddles the Missouri-Kansas state line, and residents on both sides of the border work throughout the metro, with tax implications that vary by where you live and work.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $112,500 in Kansas City. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Several everyday categories, especially miscellaneous costs and transportation, stay below the national baseline.

Missouri has a progressive income tax that tops out at 4.95%. Kansas City adds a city earnings tax of 1% for residents and people who work in the city. Kansas, on the other side of the metro, has its own income tax structure with a top rate of 5.7%. Workers who live in Kansas and work in Missouri, or vice versa, need to file in both states but generally receive credits to avoid full double taxation. The tax picture is somewhat complex for people who straddle the state line, so it's worth running the numbers for your specific situation.

Groceries and utilities in Kansas City run below the national average. The city is primarily car-dependent, with limited public transit coverage, and most residents own at least one vehicle. The flat geography makes driving straightforward, and traffic congestion is manageable compared to larger metros. The Boulevard Brewing Company and a strong local food scene mean that dining out is affordable relative to coastal cities, with most casual restaurants running 15 to 20% below prices in New York or San Francisco.

St. Louis has a cost of living index of 89.4, about 10.6% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 78.8. Typical apartment rent is about $1,216 a month, and median home values are around $424,572. The median household income is approximately $54,000. The metro area's established suburbs carry higher values, but still significantly below coastal comparable markets. The city has faced economic challenges related to population decline and a shrinking tax base.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $111,900 in St. Louis. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Several everyday categories, especially utilities and miscellaneous costs, stay below the national baseline.

Missouri has a progressive income tax that tops out at 4.95%. St. Louis city collects its own earnings tax of 1% on residents and non-residents who work within the city limits. Residents of St. Louis County, which is a separate jurisdiction from the city, do not pay the city earnings tax. That distinction matters: some workers choose to live in the county specifically to avoid the city tax while still commuting in for work. Property taxes vary across the metro, with St. Louis City having higher effective rates than most surrounding counties.

St. Louis is one of the more affordable places in the country to eat at restaurants. A meal at a mid-range restaurant often costs 20 to 30% less than equivalent dining in major coastal cities. Grocery costs also run below the national average. The city is primarily car-dependent, but traffic is manageable even during peak hours by large-metro standards. The MetroLink light rail system runs from the airport through downtown to Clayton, covering a useful corridor for some commuters.