Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Madison, WI?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 14.3% cheaper than Madison, WI. This translates to saving $1071 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Madison, WI?

If you earn $150,000 in Madison, WI, you'd need approximately $137,142.857 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Madison, WI and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 23.6% cheaper than in Madison, WI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,835/month in Madison, WI.

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

Moving from Madison, WI to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $1071 per month, or $12857 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Madison, WI vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Madison, WI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $137.1K in Kansas City, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 14.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,071

Savings

Annual Impact

$12.9K

Per year

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

Madison, WI

Population:270K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$427K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:86

Median Home:$257K

Madison, WI

The Badger State

270K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 270K 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: Madison, WI vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Madison, WI	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,755/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $650less	23.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,407/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $191less	13.6%
📦Other	$1,791/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $184less	10.3%
🏥Healthcare	$719/mo	$607/mo	↓ $112less	15.5%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$535/mo	↑ $27.32more	5.4%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.99less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 23.6%

Madison, WI

$2,755

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$650

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.6%

Madison, WI

$1,407

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$191

less

📦Other

↓ 10.3%

Madison, WI

$1,791

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$184

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.5%

Madison, WI

$719

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$112

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.4%

Madison, WI

$508

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$27.32

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

Madison, WI

$959

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$9.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Madison, WI 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$1,370

To$1,180

↓ $190

1 Bed

From$1,605

To$1,280

↓ $325

2 Bed

From$1,835

To$1,460

↓ $375

3 Bed

From$2,425

To$1,900

↓ $525

Madison, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,360–$1,840/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.

$8,139

Monthly in Madison, WI

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$1,119

Difference

Home Values

Madison

Kansas City

$427K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +37.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$359K - $534K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 40% less expensive than Madison

Calculate payment - Madison Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $921

Per year

Monthly Difference

$76.74

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

Madison, WI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Wisconsin State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,678/month

$104.1K

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

Madison, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.