Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 39.6% cheaper than Boston, MA. This translates to saving $2970 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $114,362.416 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 60.1% cheaper than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

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

Moving from Boston, MA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $2970 per month, or $35638 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Boston, MA

Tap to swap

Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.0K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $114.4K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 39.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,970

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.6K

Per year

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

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:60

Median Home:$257K

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

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: Boston, MA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Boston, MA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,275/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $3,170less	60.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,830/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $615less	33.6%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $218less	11.9%
⚡All Utilities	$716/mo	$535/mo	↓ $180less	25.2%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$607/mo	↓ $136less	18.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$949/mo	↓ $130less	12.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 60.1%

Boston, MA

$5,275

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$3,170

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 33.6%

Boston, MA

$1,830

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$615

less

📦Other

↓ 11.9%

Boston, MA

$1,825

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$218

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 25.2%

Boston, MA

$716

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$180

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 18.3%

Boston, MA

$743

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$136

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

Boston, MA

$1,079

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$130

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Boston, MA 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$3,095

To$1,180

↓ $1,915

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$1,280

↓ $1,975

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$1,460

↓ $2,405

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$1,900

↓ $2,730

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$4,449

Difference

Home Values

Boston

Kansas City

$961K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 73% less expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $429

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$35.75

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

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.