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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd spend $349/month more in Kansas City, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $154.2K in Kansas City, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Wichita, KS area
Overall Cost
4.7%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$349
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$4.2K
Per year

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

Wichita, KS

Population:396K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$202K

Kansas City, MO

Population:508K
Cost Index:
105
(5% above avg)
Median Home:$257K

Wichita, KS

The Sunflower State

396K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 396K 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: Wichita, KS vs Kansas City, MO

Housing
14.1%
Wichita, KS
$1,845
Kansas City, MO
$2,105
Difference
$260
more
Groceries
6.7%
Wichita, KS
$889
Kansas City, MO
$949
Difference
$59.96
more
Other
2.0%
Wichita, KS
$1,641
Kansas City, MO
$1,607
Difference
$33.48
less
Healthcare
4.3%
Wichita, KS
$582
Kansas City, MO
$607
Difference
$24.78
more
Transportation
1.1%
Wichita, KS
$1,202
Kansas City, MO
$1,216
Difference
$13.66
more
All Utilities
0.0%
Wichita, KS
$535
Kansas City, MO
$535
Difference
$0
same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Kansas City, MO: Kansas City 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$790
To$1,180
$390
1 Bed
From$855
To$1,280
$425
2 Bed
From$1,110
To$1,460
$350
3 Bed
From$1,455
To$1,900
$445
Wichita, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $680$1,280/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.

$6,695
Monthly in Wichita, KS
$7,020
Monthly in Kansas City, MO
$325
Difference

Home Values

Wichita
Kansas City
$202K
Median Value
$257K
↑ +0.2%
YoY Change
↑ +0.6%
↑ +40.5%
5-Year Change
↑ +32.2%
$86K - $424K
Price Range
$80K - $587K

Homes in Kansas City are 27% more expensive than Wichita

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
$489
Per year
Monthly Difference
$40.75
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.3%
Rate difference

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

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

Wichita, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

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.

Environment

Wichita
Kansas City
43 Good
Air Quality
46 Good
75.1%
Good Air Days
59.3%
97 High
Climate Risk
97 High
🌊🌡🌪
Top Hazards
🌊🌡🌪
+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
+3.3°F
61 days
Heat Days >95°F
44 days
+3.1°F
2050 Outlook
+3.3°F
61 days
Heat Days >95°F
44 days

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

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