Is Kansas City, MO cheaper than Wake Forest, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Kansas City, MO is 2.6% cheaper than Wake Forest, NC. This translates to saving $198 per month.

What salary do I need in Kansas City, MO to live like I do in Wake Forest, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Wake Forest, NC, you'd need approximately $147,626.886 in Kansas City, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Wake Forest, NC and Kansas City, MO?

Housing in Kansas City, MO is 0.6% cheaper than in Wake Forest, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,460/month in Kansas City, MO compared to $1,418/month in Wake Forest, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Wake Forest, NC to Kansas City, MO?

Moving from Wake Forest, NC to Kansas City, MO could save you approximately $198 per month, or $2373 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Wake Forest, NC vs Kansas City, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Wake Forest, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

Current salary in Wake Forest, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $198/month moving to Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $147.6K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 2.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$198

Savings

Annual Impact

$2.4K

Per year

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

Wake Forest, NC

Population:54K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$505K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K

Cost Index:97

Median Home:$257K

Wake Forest, NC

The Tar Heel State

54K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 54K 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: Wake Forest, NC vs Kansas City, MO

Category	Wake Forest, NC	Kansas City, MO	Difference	Change
🏥Healthcare	$587/mo	$607/mo	↑ $20.50more	3.5%
📦Other	$1,627/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $20.12less	1.2%
🛒Groceries	$936/mo	$949/mo	↑ $12.84more	1.4%
🏠Housing	$2,117/mo	$2,105/mo	↓ $12.43less	0.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,224/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $7.90less	0.6%
⚡All Utilities	$533/mo	$535/mo	↑ $2.08more	0.4%

🏥Healthcare

↑ 3.5%

Wake Forest, NC

$587

Kansas City, MO

$607

Difference

$20.50

📦Other

↓ 1.2%

Wake Forest, NC

$1,627

Kansas City, MO

$1,607

Difference

$20.12

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 1.4%

Wake Forest, NC

$936

Kansas City, MO

$949

Difference

$12.84

🏠Housing

↓ 0.6%

Wake Forest, NC

$2,117

Kansas City, MO

$2,105

Difference

$12.43

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.6%

Wake Forest, NC

$1,224

Kansas City, MO

$1,216

Difference

$7.90

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 0.4%

Wake Forest, NC

$533

Kansas City, MO

$535

Difference

$2.08

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Wake Forest, NC 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$1,239

To$1,180

↓ $59.00

1 Bed

From$1,296

To$1,280

↓ $16.00

2 Bed

From$1,418

To$1,460

↑ $42.00

3 Bed

From$1,790

To$1,900

↑ $110

Wake Forest, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,600–$1,600/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.

$7,025

Monthly in Wake Forest, NC

$7,020

Monthly in Kansas City, MO

$5.04

Difference

Home Values

Wake Forest

Kansas City

$505K

Median Value

$257K

↓ -1.8%

YoY Change

↑ +0.6%

↑ +39.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +32.2%

$505K

Price Range

$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 49% less expensive than Wake Forest

Calculate payment - Wake Forest Calculate payment - Kansas City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $804

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$67.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.5%

Rate difference

Wake Forest, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Wake Forest, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

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.