Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Highland Park, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 7.7% cheaper than Highland Park, IL. This translates to saving $578 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Highland Park, IL, you'd need approximately $143,061.146 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 15.5% cheaper than in Highland Park, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,886/month in Highland Park, IL.

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

Moving from Highland Park, IL to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $578 per month, or $6939 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Highland Park, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $578/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.1K in Kansas City, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 7.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$578

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.9K

Per year

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

Highland Park, IL

Population:30K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$726K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$257K

Highland Park, IL

The Prairie State

30K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 30K 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: Highland Park, IL vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Highland Park, IL	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,490/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $385less	15.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,516/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $300less	19.8%
⚡All Utilities	$493/mo	$535/mo	↑ $42.45more	8.6%
🏥Healthcare	$565/mo	$607/mo	↑ $42.25more	7.5%
🛒Groceries	$978/mo	$949/mo	↓ $28.27less	2.9%
📦Other	$1,586/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $21.39more	1.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 15.5%

Highland Park, IL

$2,490

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$385

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 19.8%

Highland Park, IL

$1,516

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$300

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.6%

Highland Park, IL

$493

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$42.45

🏥Healthcare

↑ 7.5%

Highland Park, IL

$565

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$42.25

🛒Groceries

↓ 2.9%

Highland Park, IL

$978

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$28.27

less

📦Other

↑ 1.3%

Highland Park, IL

$1,586

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$21.39

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Highland Park, 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$1,564

To$1,180

↓ $384

1 Bed

From$1,672

To$1,280

↓ $392

2 Bed

From$1,886

To$1,460

↓ $426

3 Bed

From$2,431

To$1,900

↓ $531

Highland Park, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,180–$2,180/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.

$7,627

Monthly in Highland Park, IL

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

Home Values

Highland Park

Kansas City

$726K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +6.2%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +50%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$726K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 65% less expensive than Highland Park

Calculate payment - Highland Park 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

Highland Park, 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

Highland Park, 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.