Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Austin, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 1.0% cheaper than Austin, MN. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Austin, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, MN, you'd need approximately $149,105.296 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, MN and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 0.0% cheaper than in Austin, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $787/month in Austin, MN.

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

Moving from Austin, MN to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $75 per month, or $895 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Austin, MN vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Austin, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Saint Paul, MN area

Current salary in Austin, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $74.56/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.1K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$74.56

Savings

Annual Impact

$895

Per year

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

Austin, MN

Population:26K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$181K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:99

Median Home:$257K

Austin, MN

The North Star State

26K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 26K 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: Austin, MN vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Austin, MN	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,493/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $114more	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$703/mo	$607/mo	↓ $96.13less	13.7%
⚡All Utilities	$473/mo	$535/mo	↑ $62.66more	13.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,194/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $21.30more	1.8%
🛒Groceries	$958/mo	$949/mo	↓ $8.36less	0.9%
🏠Housing	$2,106/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $0.89less	0.0%

📦Other

↑ 7.7%

Austin, MN

$1,493

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$114

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.7%

Austin, MN

$703

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$96.13

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.3%

Austin, MN

$473

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$62.66

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.8%

Austin, MN

$1,194

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$21.30

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Austin, MN

$958

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$8.36

less

🏠Housing

↓ 0.0%

Austin, MN

$2,106

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$0.89

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Austin, MN 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$545

To$1,180

↑ $635

1 Bed

From$603

To$1,280

↑ $677

2 Bed

From$787

To$1,460

↑ $673

3 Bed

From$1,016

To$1,900

↑ $884

Austin, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$820/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.

$6,927

Monthly in Austin, MN

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$92.88

Difference

Home Values

Austin

Kansas City

$181K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +5.3%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +41.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$181K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 42% more expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$209

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.7%

Rate difference

Austin, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

Austin, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.