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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd save $86.21/month moving to Wichita, KS

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.0K in Wichita, KS

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from St. Louis, MO-IL area
Overall Cost
↓ 1.1%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$86.21
Savings
Annual Impact
$1.0K
Per year

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

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$145K

Wichita, KS

Population:396K
Cost Index:
99
(1% below avg)
Median Home:$202K

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Wichita, KS

The Sunflower State

396K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 396K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Louis, MO vs Wichita, KS

Groceries
↓ 6.3%
St. Louis, MO
$949
Wichita, KS
$889
Difference
$59.96
less
Healthcare
↑ 10.6%
St. Louis, MO
$527
Wichita, KS
$582
Difference
$55.76
more
Other
↑ 2.1%
St. Louis, MO
$1,607
Wichita, KS
$1,641
Difference
$33.48
more
Housing
↓ 1.4%
St. Louis, MO
$1,871
Wichita, KS
$1,845
Difference
$25.99
less
Transportation
↓ 1.1%
St. Louis, MO
$1,216
Wichita, KS
$1,202
Difference
$13.66
less
All Utilities
→ 0.0%
St. Louis, MO
$535
Wichita, KS
$535
Difference
$0
same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Wichita, KS 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$910
To$790
↓ $120
1 Bed
From$950
To$855
↓ $95.00
2 Bed
From$1,160
To$1,110
↓ $50.00
3 Bed
From$1,490
To$1,455
↓ $35.00
St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

Wichita, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680–$1,280/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.

$6,705
Monthly in St. Louis, MO
$6,695
Monthly in Wichita, KS
$10.36
Difference

Home Values

St. Louis
Wichita
$145K
Median Value
$202K
↓ -0.8%
YoY Change
↑ +0.2%
↑ +10.9%
5-Year Change
↑ +40.5%
$38K - $302K
Price Range
$86K - $424K

Homes in Wichita are 39% more expensive than St. Louis

Calculate payment - St. LouisCalculate payment - Wichita

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $489
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$40.75
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.3%
Rate difference

St. Louis, 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

Wichita, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

Additional Tax Information

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

Wichita, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

💡 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.

Environment

St. Louis
Wichita
54 Moderate
Air Quality
43 Good
38%
Good Air Days
75.1%
99 High
Climate Risk
97 High
🌊🌡🫨
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
▲+3.0°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.1°F
39 days
Heat Days >95°F
61 days
▲+3.0°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.1°F
39 days
Heat Days >95°F
61 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Missouri and Kansas on TaxTakeHome.com

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