Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Auburn, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 18.7% cheaper than Auburn, WA. This translates to saving $1399 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Auburn, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Auburn, WA, you'd need approximately $133,209.754 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Auburn, WA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 29.8% cheaper than in Auburn, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,798/month in Auburn, WA.

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

Moving from Auburn, WA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $1399 per month, or $16790 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Auburn, WA vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Auburn, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tacoma, WA area

Current salary in Auburn, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.4K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $133.2K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 18.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,399

Savings

Annual Impact

$16.8K

Per year

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

Auburn, WA

Population:84K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$479K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:81

Median Home:$257K

Auburn, WA

The Evergreen State

84K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 84K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

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: Auburn, WA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Auburn, WA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,000/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $895less	29.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,859/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $643less	34.6%
🏥Healthcare	$815/mo	$607/mo	↓ $208less	25.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,068/mo	$949/mo	↓ $119less	11.1%
⚡All Utilities	$476/mo	$535/mo	↑ $59.69more	12.5%
📦Other	$1,606/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $0.77more	0.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 29.8%

Auburn, WA

$3,000

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$895

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.6%

Auburn, WA

$1,859

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$643

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.5%

Auburn, WA

$815

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$208

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 11.1%

Auburn, WA

$1,068

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$119

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 12.5%

Auburn, WA

$476

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$59.69

📦Other

↑ 0.0%

Auburn, WA

$1,606

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$0.77

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Auburn, WA 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$1,498

To$1,180

↓ $318

1 Bed

From$1,540

To$1,280

↓ $260

2 Bed

From$1,798

To$1,460

↓ $338

3 Bed

From$2,372

To$1,900

↓ $472

Auburn, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,850–$1,850/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.

$8,824

Monthly in Auburn, WA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$1,805

Difference

Home Values

Auburn

Kansas City

$479K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +24.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$479K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 46% less expensive than Auburn

Calculate payment - Auburn Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Auburn, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Auburn, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.