Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Seattle, WA?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 47.7% cheaper than Seattle, WA. This translates to saving $3576 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Seattle, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Seattle, WA, you'd need approximately $107,093.023 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Seattle, WA and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 72.1% cheaper than in Seattle, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $2,630/month in Seattle, WA.

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

Moving from Seattle, WA to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $3576 per month, or $42907 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Seattle, WA

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Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Seattle, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.6K/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $107.1K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 47.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,576

Savings

Annual Impact

$42.9K

Per year

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

Seattle, WA

Population:749K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$808K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:52

Median Home:$257K

Seattle, WA

The Evergreen State

749K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Coffee culture birthplace
•Major tech center
•Pacific Northwest gateway

Major Industries

TechnologyAerospaceMaritime TradeCoffee Industry

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: Seattle, WA vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Seattle, WA	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,536/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $5,431less	72.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,899/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $683less	36.0%
📦Other	$1,975/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $368less	18.6%
🏥Healthcare	$824/mo	$607/mo	↓ $217less	26.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$949/mo	↓ $130less	12.0%
⚡All Utilities	$481/mo	$535/mo	↑ $54.64more	11.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 72.1%

Seattle, WA

$7,536

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$5,431

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 36.0%

Seattle, WA

$1,899

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$683

less

📦Other

↓ 18.6%

Seattle, WA

$1,975

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$368

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 26.3%

Seattle, WA

$824

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$217

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

Seattle, WA

$1,079

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$130

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.4%

Seattle, WA

$481

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$54.64

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Seattle, WA 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$2,180

To$1,180

↓ $1,000

1 Bed

From$2,260

To$1,280

↓ $980

2 Bed

From$2,630

To$1,460

↓ $1,170

3 Bed

From$3,440

To$1,900

↓ $1,540

Seattle, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,900–$3,210/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.

$13,794

Monthly in Seattle, WA

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$6,775

Difference

Home Values

Seattle

Kansas City

$808K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -2.5%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +12.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$433K - $1.34M

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 68% less expensive than Seattle

Calculate payment - Seattle Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Seattle, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Seattle, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.