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

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 33.6% cheaper than San Marcos, CA. This translates to saving $2522 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Marcos, CA, you'd need approximately $119,738.932 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 52.4% cheaper than in San Marcos, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $2,353/month in San Marcos, CA.

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

Moving from San Marcos, CA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $2522 per month, or $30261 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

San Marcos, CA vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 San Marcos, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from San Diego, CA area

Current salary in San Marcos, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.5K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $119.7K in Kansas City, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 33.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,522

Savings

Annual Impact

$30.3K

Per year

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

San Marcos, CA

Population:94K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$873K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:66

Median Home:$257K

San Marcos, CA

The Golden State

94K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 94K 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: San Marcos, CA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	San Marcos, CA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,427/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $2,322less	52.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,479/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $263less	17.8%
📦Other	$1,781/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $174less	9.8%
🛒Groceries	$1,047/mo	$949/mo	↓ $97.91less	9.4%
⚡All Utilities	$615/mo	$535/mo	↓ $79.57less	12.9%
🏥Healthcare	$619/mo	$607/mo	↓ $12.06less	1.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 52.4%

San Marcos, CA

$4,427

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$2,322

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 17.8%

San Marcos, CA

$1,479

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$263

less

📦Other

↓ 9.8%

San Marcos, CA

$1,781

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$174

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.4%

San Marcos, CA

$1,047

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$97.91

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 12.9%

San Marcos, CA

$615

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$79.57

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 1.9%

San Marcos, CA

$619

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$12.06

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Marcos, 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$1,793

To$1,180

↓ $613

1 Bed

From$1,929

To$1,280

↓ $649

2 Bed

From$2,353

To$1,460

↓ $893

3 Bed

From$3,137

To$1,900

↓ $1,237

San Marcos, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,410–$2,410/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.

$9,968

Monthly in San Marcos, CA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$2,949

Difference

Home Values

San Marcos

Kansas City

$873K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -1.9%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +39%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$873K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 71% less expensive than San Marcos

Calculate payment - San Marcos 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 Marcos, 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 Marcos, 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.