Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 6.5% cheaper than Rochester, NY. This translates to saving $487 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Rochester, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $144,152.041 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rochester, NY and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 0.1% cheaper than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

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

Moving from Rochester, NY to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $487 per month, or $5848 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rochester, NY vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rochester, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $487/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.2K in Kansas City, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 6.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$487

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.8K

Per year

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

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$198K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$257K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K 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: Rochester, NY vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Rochester, NY	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,738/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $131less	7.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $99.09less	7.5%
⚡All Utilities	$631/mo	$535/mo	↓ $95.27less	15.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.50less	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$548/mo	$607/mo	↑ $59.50more	10.9%
🏠Housing	$2,108/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $2.94less	0.1%

📦Other

↓ 7.5%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$131

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.5%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$99.09

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 15.1%

Rochester, NY

$631

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$95.27

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.7%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$79.50

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 10.9%

Rochester, NY

$548

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$59.50

🏠Housing

↓ 0.1%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$2.94

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Rochester, NY 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$1,157

To$1,180

↑ $23.00

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$1,280

↓ $29.00

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,460

↓ $173

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$1,900

↓ $68.00

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/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.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$348

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

Kansas City

$198K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 30% more expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$135

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.1%

Rate difference

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

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.