Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Evanston, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 9.7% cheaper than Evanston, IL. This translates to saving $726 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Evanston, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Evanston, IL, you'd need approximately $141,284.179 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Evanston, IL and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 17.3% cheaper than in Evanston, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,857/month in Evanston, IL.

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

Moving from Evanston, IL to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $726 per month, or $8716 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Evanston, IL vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Evanston, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Evanston, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $726/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.3K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 9.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$726

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.7K

Per year

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

Evanston, IL

Population:75K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$535K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:90

Median Home:$257K

Evanston, IL

The Prairie State

75K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 75K 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: Evanston, IL vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Evanston, IL	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,544/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $439less	17.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,549/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $333less	21.5%
🛒Groceries	$988/mo	$949/mo	↓ $38.90less	3.9%
⚡All Utilities	$498/mo	$535/mo	↑ $37.09more	7.4%
🏥Healthcare	$571/mo	$607/mo	↑ $36.11more	6.3%
📦Other	$1,620/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $13.27less	0.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 17.3%

Evanston, IL

$2,544

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$439

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.5%

Evanston, IL

$1,549

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$333

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.9%

Evanston, IL

$988

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$38.90

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.4%

Evanston, IL

$498

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$37.09

🏥Healthcare

↑ 6.3%

Evanston, IL

$571

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$36.11

📦Other

↓ 0.8%

Evanston, IL

$1,620

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$13.27

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Evanston, IL 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$1,544

To$1,180

↓ $364

1 Bed

From$1,645

To$1,280

↓ $365

2 Bed

From$1,857

To$1,460

↓ $397

3 Bed

From$2,390

To$1,900

↓ $490

Evanston, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,930–$2,120/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.

$7,771

Monthly in Evanston, IL

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$751

Difference

Home Values

Evanston

Kansas City

$535K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +6.9%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +25.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$374K - $553K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 52% less expensive than Evanston

Calculate payment - Evanston Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $504

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$42.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Evanston, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/month

$105.6K

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

Evanston, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.