Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Saint Paul, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 16.7% cheaper than Saint Paul, MN. This translates to saving $1250 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Saint Paul, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in Saint Paul, MN, you'd need approximately $135,000 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Saint Paul, MN and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 25.0% cheaper than in Saint Paul, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,500/month in Saint Paul, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Saint Paul, MN to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from Saint Paul, MN to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $1250 per month, or $15000 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Saint Paul, MN vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Saint Paul, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $135.0K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 16.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,250

Savings

Annual Impact

$15.0K

Per year

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

Saint Paul, MN

Population:308K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$274K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:83

Median Home:$257K

Saint Paul, MN

The North Star State

308K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 308K 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: Saint Paul, MN vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Saint Paul, MN	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,807/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $702less	25.0%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $167less	9.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $164less	11.9%
🏥Healthcare	$756/mo	$607/mo	↓ $149less	19.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.94less	7.8%
⚡All Utilities	$508/mo	$535/mo	↑ $27.32more	5.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 25.0%

Saint Paul, MN

$2,807

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$702

less

📦Other

↓ 9.4%

Saint Paul, MN

$1,774

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$167

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.9%

Saint Paul, MN

$1,380

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$164

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 19.7%

Saint Paul, MN

$756

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$149

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.8%

Saint Paul, MN

$1,029

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$79.94

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.4%

Saint Paul, MN

$508

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$27.32

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Saint Paul, MN 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$1,000

To$1,180

↑ $180

1 Bed

From$1,200

To$1,280

↑ $80.00

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$1,460

↓ $40.00

3 Bed

From$2,100

To$1,900

↓ $200

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.

$8,254

Monthly in Saint Paul, MN

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$1,234

Difference

Home Values

Saint Paul

Kansas City

$274K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -0.1%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +13.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$175K - $452K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 6% less expensive than Saint Paul

Calculate payment - Saint Paul Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$209

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.7%

Rate difference

Saint Paul, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

Saint Paul, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.