Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Newark, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 46.4% cheaper than Newark, NJ. This translates to saving $3482 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Newark, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Newark, NJ, you'd need approximately $108,214.286 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Newark, NJ and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 72.5% cheaper than in Newark, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,930/month in Newark, NJ.

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

Moving from Newark, NJ to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $3482 per month, or $41786 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Newark, NJ vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Newark, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.5K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $108.2K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 46.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,482

Savings

Annual Impact

$41.8K

Per year

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

Newark, NJ

Population:312K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$484K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:54

Median Home:$257K

Newark, NJ

The Garden State

312K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 312K 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: Newark, NJ vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Newark, NJ	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,648/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $5,543less	72.5%
📦Other	$2,034/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $427less	21.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,602/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $387less	24.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,165/mo	$949/mo	↓ $216less	18.5%
🏥Healthcare	$688/mo	$607/mo	↓ $80.54less	11.7%
⚡All Utilities	$600/mo	$535/mo	↓ $64.48less	10.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 72.5%

Newark, NJ

$7,648

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$5,543

less

📦Other

↓ 21.0%

Newark, NJ

$2,034

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$427

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 24.1%

Newark, NJ

$1,602

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$387

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 18.5%

Newark, NJ

$1,165

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$216

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 11.7%

Newark, NJ

$688

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$80.54

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 10.7%

Newark, NJ

$600

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$64.48

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Newark, NJ: Newark Payroll Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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

Net difference$0/yr

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,400

To$1,180

↓ $220

1 Bed

From$1,600

To$1,280

↓ $320

2 Bed

From$1,930

To$1,460

↓ $470

3 Bed

From$2,430

To$1,900

↓ $530

Newark, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,600–$1,610/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.

$13,737

Monthly in Newark, NJ

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$6,717

Difference

Home Values

Newark

Kansas City

$484K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -0.4%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +30.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$395K - $565K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 47% less expensive than Newark

Calculate payment - Newark Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $499

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$41.54

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Newark, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/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

Newark, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.