Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Albany, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 6.2% cheaper than Albany, NY. This translates to saving $465 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Albany, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Albany, NY, you'd need approximately $144,423.809 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Albany, NY and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 16.4% more expensive than in Albany, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,276/month in Albany, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Albany, NY to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from Albany, NY to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $465 per month, or $5576 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Albany, NY vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Albany, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Albany, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $465/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.4K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY area

Overall Cost

↓ 6.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$465

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Albany, NY

Population:101K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$248K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$257K

Albany, NY

The Empire State

101K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 101K residents.

Kansas City, MO

The Show-Me State

508K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 508K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Albany, NY vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Albany, NY	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,808/mo	$2,105/mo	↑ $297more	16.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,420/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $204less	14.4%
📦Other	$1,799/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $192less	10.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,036/mo	$949/mo	↓ $86.73less	8.4%
🏥Healthcare	$648/mo	$607/mo	↓ $41.03less	6.3%
⚡All Utilities	$561/mo	$535/mo	↓ $25.88less	4.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 16.4%

Albany, NY

$1,808

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$297

🚗Transportation

↓ 14.4%

Albany, NY

$1,420

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$204

less

📦Other

↓ 10.7%

Albany, NY

$1,799

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$192

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.4%

Albany, NY

$1,036

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$86.73

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.3%

Albany, NY

$648

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$41.03

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 4.6%

Albany, NY

$561

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$25.88

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Kansas City, MO: Kansas City Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Albany, NY has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$914

To$1,180

↑ $266

1 Bed

From$1,065

To$1,280

↑ $215

2 Bed

From$1,276

To$1,460

↑ $184

3 Bed

From$1,533

To$1,900

↑ $367

Albany, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,180–$1,640/mo

Kansas City, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $900–$1,800/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,273

Monthly in Albany, NY

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$253

Difference

Home Values

Albany

Kansas City

$248K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +3.8%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +38.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$168K - $329K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 4% more expensive than Albany

Calculate payment - Albany Calculate payment - Kansas City

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$135

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.1%

Rate difference

Albany, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Kansas City, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Albany, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

Kansas City, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.