Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Lawrence, MA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 36.5% cheaper than Lawrence, MA. This translates to saving $2740 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Lawrence, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Lawrence, MA, you'd need approximately $117,124.193 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lawrence, MA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 53.4% cheaper than in Lawrence, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,626/month in Lawrence, MA.

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

Moving from Lawrence, MA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $2740 per month, or $32876 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lawrence, MA vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lawrence, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Lawrence, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.7K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $117.1K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 36.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,740

Savings

Annual Impact

$32.9K

Per year

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

Lawrence, MA

Population:88K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$470K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:63

Median Home:$257K

Lawrence, MA

The Bay State

88K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 88K 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: Lawrence, MA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Lawrence, MA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,518/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $2,413less	53.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,742/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $526less	30.2%
⚡All Utilities	$698/mo	$535/mo	↓ $163less	23.3%
📦Other	$1,736/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $129less	7.5%
🏥Healthcare	$725/mo	$607/mo	↓ $118less	16.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,053/mo	$949/mo	↓ $103less	9.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 53.4%

Lawrence, MA

$4,518

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$2,413

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 30.2%

Lawrence, MA

$1,742

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$526

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 23.3%

Lawrence, MA

$698

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$163

less

📦Other

↓ 7.5%

Lawrence, MA

$1,736

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$129

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 16.3%

Lawrence, MA

$725

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$118

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.8%

Lawrence, MA

$1,053

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$103

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lawrence, MA 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$1,124

To$1,180

↑ $56.00

1 Bed

From$1,238

To$1,280

↑ $42.00

2 Bed

From$1,626

To$1,460

↓ $166

3 Bed

From$1,949

To$1,900

↓ $49.00

Lawrence, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,530–$1,820/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.

$10,473

Monthly in Lawrence, MA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$3,453

Difference

Home Values

Lawrence

Kansas City

$470K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +43.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$372K - $515K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 45% less expensive than Lawrence

Calculate payment - Lawrence Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $429

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$35.75

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Lawrence, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Lawrence, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.