Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Rock Island, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 1.3% cheaper than Rock Island, IL. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Rock Island, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Rock Island, IL, you'd need approximately $148,801.08 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rock Island, IL and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 2.3% cheaper than in Rock Island, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $827/month in Rock Island, IL.

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

Moving from Rock Island, IL to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $100 per month, or $1199 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rock Island, IL vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rock Island, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in Rock Island, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $99.91/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.8K in Kansas City, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 1.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$99.91

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.2K

Per year

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

Rock Island, IL

Population:36K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$122K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:99

Median Home:$257K

Rock Island, IL

The Prairie State

36K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 36K 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: Rock Island, IL vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Rock Island, IL	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$607/mo	↓ $62.69less	9.4%
⚡All Utilities	$474/mo	$535/mo	↑ $61.85more	13.1%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$949/mo	↑ $55.19more	6.2%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $51.01more	3.3%
🏠Housing	$2,154/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $48.74less	2.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,222/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $6.53less	0.5%

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.4%

Rock Island, IL

$670

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$62.69

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.1%

Rock Island, IL

$474

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$61.85

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.2%

Rock Island, IL

$894

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$55.19

📦Other

↑ 3.3%

Rock Island, IL

$1,556

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$51.01

🏠Housing

↓ 2.3%

Rock Island, IL

$2,154

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$48.74

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.5%

Rock Island, IL

$1,222

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$6.53

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Rock Island, 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$591

To$1,180

↑ $589

1 Bed

From$672

To$1,280

↑ $608

2 Bed

From$827

To$1,460

↑ $633

3 Bed

From$1,085

To$1,900

↑ $815

Rock Island, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $910–$910/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.

$6,970

Monthly in Rock Island, IL

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$50.11

Difference

Home Values

Rock Island

Kansas City

$122K

Median Value

$257K

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +19.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$122K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 111% more expensive than Rock Island

Calculate payment - Rock Island 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

Rock Island, 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

Rock Island, 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.