Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Costa Mesa, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 40.2% cheaper than Costa Mesa, CA. This translates to saving $3014 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Costa Mesa, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Costa Mesa, CA, you'd need approximately $113,826.902 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Costa Mesa, CA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 60.1% cheaper than in Costa Mesa, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $2,824/month in Costa Mesa, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $3014 per month, or $36173 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Costa Mesa, CA vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Costa Mesa, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Santa Ana, CA area

Current salary in Costa Mesa, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $113.8K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 40.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,014

Savings

Annual Impact

$36.2K

Per year

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

Costa Mesa, CA

Population:108K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.35M

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:60

Median Home:$257K

Costa Mesa, CA

The Golden State

108K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 108K 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: Costa Mesa, CA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Costa Mesa, CA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,279/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $3,174less	60.1%
🚗Transportation	$2,109/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $893less	42.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,027/mo	$949/mo	↓ $78.00less	7.6%
📦Other	$1,685/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $77.80less	4.6%
🏥Healthcare	$545/mo	$607/mo	↑ $62.10more	11.4%
⚡All Utilities	$551/mo	$535/mo	↓ $15.45less	2.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 60.1%

Costa Mesa, CA

$5,279

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$3,174

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 42.4%

Costa Mesa, CA

$2,109

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$893

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.6%

Costa Mesa, CA

$1,027

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$78.00

less

📦Other

↓ 4.6%

Costa Mesa, CA

$1,685

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$77.80

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 11.4%

Costa Mesa, CA

$545

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$62.10

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.8%

Costa Mesa, CA

$551

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$15.45

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Costa Mesa, CA 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$2,338

To$1,180

↓ $1,158

1 Bed

From$2,396

To$1,280

↓ $1,116

2 Bed

From$2,824

To$1,460

↓ $1,364

3 Bed

From$3,833

To$1,900

↓ $1,933

Costa Mesa, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,710–$3,060/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.

$11,196

Monthly in Costa Mesa, CA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$4,177

Difference

Home Values

Costa Mesa

Kansas City

$1.35M

Median Value

$257K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +50.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$1.32M - $1.37M

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 81% less expensive than Costa Mesa

Calculate payment - Costa Mesa Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$225

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Costa Mesa, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

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

Costa Mesa, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

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.