St. Louis vs Kansas City: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in St. Louis, Missouri compare to Kansas City, Kansas? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Kansas City is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 30% higher in St. Louis compared to Kansas City, while rent is 10% lower. State income tax is 4.8% in MO vs 5.7% in KS.
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Kansas City, KS | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $174,100 | $133,800 | +30.1% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $938 | $1,044 | -10.2% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $52,941 | $56,120 | -5.7% |
| Per Capita Income | $36,722 | $27,034 | +35.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 4.8% | 5.7% | -15.8% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.3% | 8.7% | -4.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 298,018 | 155,438 | +91.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — St. Louis
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Kansas City
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in St. Louis costs $174,100 compared to $133,800 in Kansas City — a 30% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $938/mo in St. Louis vs $1,044/mo in Kansas City.
- Income: Median household income is $52,941 in St. Louis and $56,120 in Kansas City.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.8% in Missouri vs 5.7% in Kansas.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).