Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Fairbanks, AK?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 3.8% cheaper than Fairbanks, AK. This translates to saving $288 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Fairbanks, AK?

If you earn $150,000 in Fairbanks, AK, you'd need approximately $146,546.141 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fairbanks, AK and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 1.9% more expensive than in Fairbanks, AK. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $961/month in Fairbanks, AK.

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

Moving from Fairbanks, AK to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $288 per month, or $3454 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fairbanks, AK vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fairbanks, AK — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Anchorage, AK area

Current salary in Fairbanks, AK

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $288/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.5K in Kansas City, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 3.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$288

Savings

Annual Impact

$3.5K

Per year

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

Fairbanks, AK

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$297K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:96

Median Home:$257K

Fairbanks, AK

The Last Frontier

32K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Alaska, this city has a population of 32K residents.

💡 Advantage: Alaska has no state income tax!

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: Fairbanks, AK vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Fairbanks, AK	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,391/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $216more	15.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,150/mo	$949/mo	↓ $201less	17.5%
⚡All Utilities	$714/mo	$535/mo	↓ $178less	25.0%
🏥Healthcare	$772/mo	$607/mo	↓ $165less	21.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,084/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $132more	12.1%
🏠Housing	$2,066/mo	$2,105/mo	↑ $38.58more	1.9%

📦Other

↑ 15.5%

Fairbanks, AK

$1,391

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$216

🛒Groceries

↓ 17.5%

Fairbanks, AK

$1,150

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$201

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 25.0%

Fairbanks, AK

$714

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$178

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.3%

Fairbanks, AK

$772

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$165

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 12.1%

Fairbanks, AK

$1,084

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$132

🏠Housing

↑ 1.9%

Fairbanks, AK

$2,066

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$38.58

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Fairbanks, AK 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$662

To$1,180

↑ $518

1 Bed

From$732

To$1,280

↑ $548

2 Bed

From$961

To$1,460

↑ $499

3 Bed

From$1,343

To$1,900

↑ $557

Fairbanks, AKZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,150–$1,200/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.

$7,178

Monthly in Fairbanks, AK

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$158

Difference

Home Values

Fairbanks

Kansas City

$297K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -2.3%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +4.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$296K - $298K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 13% less expensive than Fairbanks

Calculate payment - Fairbanks Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Fairbanks, AK

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Alaska State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Fairbanks, AK Tax Rates

Sales Tax:1.8%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.