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Kansas City, MO-KS

Cost of living in Kansas City, Missouri

Jackson County, MO

Part of the Kansas City Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,255/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 717,021 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,183 36%
Federal tax $554 17%
Healthcare $480 15%
Transport $320 10%
Groceries $313 10%
Energy $194 6%
State tax $161 5%
Water $50 2%

Rent in Kansas City

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$1,074
per month
1 bedroom
$1,183
per month
2 bedroom
$1,346
per month
3 bedroom
$1,756
per month
4 bedroom
$2,078
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Kansas City

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,178
per year
Individual earnings
$43,908
per year
Per capita
$38,344
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Kansas City

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$213,300
Annual property tax
$2,448

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Kansas City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$142
per month · 14.2¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$2,328
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Kansas City

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
11.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Kansas City

State and local tax rates for Missouri.

State income tax
4.8%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.2%
Combined sales tax
8.3%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Kansas City

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
23.4 min
Drive alone
74.8%
Public transit
1.4%
Work from home
14.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Kansas City

What it costs to live in Kansas City each month.

Single person
$3,255
per month
  • Rent $1,183
  • Energy $194
  • Water $50
  • Groceries $313
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $554
  • State tax $161
Couple
$4,466
per month
  • Rent $1,346
  • Energy $233
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $519
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $769
  • State tax $255
Family
$6,998
per month
  • Rent $1,756
  • Energy $291
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $787
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $769
  • State tax $255

Frequently asked questions about Kansas City

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Kansas City?

In Kansas City, Missouri, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,183 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,346 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,756 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Kansas City?

In Kansas City, Missouri, the average household income is $67,178 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $43,908 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Kansas City?

The estimated cost of living in Kansas City, Missouri is approximately $3,255 per month for a single person, $4,466 for a couple, $6,998 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Kansas City?

The combined sales tax rate in Kansas City, Missouri is 8.29%, which includes the Missouri state rate of 4.22% plus an average local rate of 4.06%.

Is Kansas City an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Kansas City, Missouri would need approximately $3,255 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,178 per year ($5,598 per month). Kansas City has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Kansas City?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Kansas City, Missouri is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 11.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Kansas City?

The average home value in Kansas City, Missouri is $213,300, with average annual property taxes of $2,448, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Kansas City compare to other areas?

You can compare Kansas City, Missouri with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Kansas City is in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area.

Other counties in Missouri

Browse the full list of counties in Missouri, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Missouri

Compare Kansas City with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP