Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Chapel Hill, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 6.6% cheaper than Chapel Hill, NC. This translates to saving $498 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Chapel Hill, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Chapel Hill, NC, you'd need approximately $144,020.396 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chapel Hill, NC and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 8.5% cheaper than in Chapel Hill, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,483/month in Chapel Hill, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Chapel Hill, NC to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from Chapel Hill, NC to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $498 per month, or $5980 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chapel Hill, NC vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Chapel Hill, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Durham, NC area

Current salary in Chapel Hill, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $498/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.0K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 6.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$498

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.0K

Per year

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

Chapel Hill, NC

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$612K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$257K

Chapel Hill, NC

The Tar Heel State

62K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 62K 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: Chapel Hill, NC vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Chapel Hill, NC	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,300/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $195less	8.5%
📦Other	$1,678/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $71.34less	4.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,238/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $22.14less	1.8%
🏥Healthcare	$590/mo	$607/mo	↑ $17.10more	2.9%
🛒Groceries	$942/mo	$949/mo	↑ $7.41more	0.8%
⚡All Utilities	$537/mo	$535/mo	↓ $1.02less	0.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 8.5%

Chapel Hill, NC

$2,300

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$195

less

📦Other

↓ 4.3%

Chapel Hill, NC

$1,678

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$71.34

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.8%

Chapel Hill, NC

$1,238

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$22.14

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 2.9%

Chapel Hill, NC

$590

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$17.10

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.8%

Chapel Hill, NC

$942

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$7.41

⚡All Utilities

↓ 0.2%

Chapel Hill, NC

$537

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$1.02

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Chapel Hill, NC 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$1,229

To$1,180

↓ $49.00

1 Bed

From$1,307

To$1,280

↓ $27.00

2 Bed

From$1,483

To$1,460

↓ $23.00

3 Bed

From$1,836

To$1,900

↑ $64.00

Chapel Hill, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,510–$1,680/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.

$7,285

Monthly in Chapel Hill, NC

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$265

Difference

Home Values

Chapel Hill

Kansas City

$612K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +45.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$594K - $629K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 58% less expensive than Chapel Hill

Calculate payment - Chapel Hill Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $804

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$67.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.5%

Rate difference

Chapel Hill, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Chapel Hill, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.