Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than San Diego, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 37.5% cheaper than San Diego, CA. This translates to saving $2813 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in San Diego, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in San Diego, CA, you'd need approximately $116,250 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between San Diego, CA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 59.7% cheaper than in San Diego, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $3,360/month in San Diego, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from San Diego, CA to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from San Diego, CA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $2813 per month, or $33750 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

San Diego, CA

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Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Diego, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.8K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $116.3K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 37.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,813

Savings

Annual Impact

$33.8K

Per year

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

San Diego, CA

Population:1387K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$980K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:63

Median Home:$257K

San Diego, CA

The Golden State

1.4M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Year-round perfect weather
•Major military presence
•Biotech hub

Major Industries

MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnology

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: San Diego, CA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	San Diego, CA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,223/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $3,118less	59.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,571/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $355less	22.6%
📦Other	$1,892/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $285less	15.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$949/mo	↓ $130less	12.0%
⚡All Utilities	$634/mo	$535/mo	↓ $98.36less	15.5%
🏥Healthcare	$638/mo	$607/mo	↓ $30.98less	4.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 59.7%

San Diego, CA

$5,223

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$3,118

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 22.6%

San Diego, CA

$1,571

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$355

less

📦Other

↓ 15.0%

San Diego, CA

$1,892

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$285

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

San Diego, CA

$1,079

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$130

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 15.5%

San Diego, CA

$634

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$98.36

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 4.9%

San Diego, CA

$638

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$30.98

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Diego, CA 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$2,565

To$1,180

↓ $1,385

1 Bed

From$2,755

To$1,280

↓ $1,475

2 Bed

From$3,360

To$1,460

↓ $1,900

3 Bed

From$4,475

To$1,900

↓ $2,575

San Diego, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,980–$3,690/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.

$11,037

Monthly in San Diego, CA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$4,017

Difference

Home Values

San Diego

Kansas City

$980K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -3%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +37.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$598K - $2.01M

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 74% less expensive than San Diego

Calculate payment - San Diego Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.7K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$225

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

San Diego, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

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

San Diego, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.