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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Kansas City: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

7.5% below

Cost of living in Kansas City is 7.5% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area (index 92.5; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Kansas City is $1,292 a month.

Cost of living in Kansas City by category

Overall prices

92.5U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−7.5% vs. U.S.

Goods
94.1 −5.9%
Housing (rents)
86.6 −13.4%
Utilities
89.0 −11.0%
Other services
93.4 −6.6%

BEA 2024 · Kansas City metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,292/mo

Median gross rent

−13% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,172 −10% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,260 −15% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,641 About the same as U.S.
Median home value
$261,600 −27% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,808 −11% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$145/mo

Average electric bill

−7% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
16.1¢/kWh −12% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$22.55/Mcf +16% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
89.0

EIA July 2026 · Missouri statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

21.8min

Mean travel time to work

−20% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
70.5%
Work from home
15.3%
Gasoline (PADD 2 avg.)
$4.17/gal −4% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$211/wk

Center care, infant

Center care, toddler
$156/wk
Center care, preschool
$156/wk
Home-based care, infant
$156/wk

DOL NDCP 2020 prices · Jackson County · no U.S. comparison (different year) Details: Child care

Income

$69,958/yr

Median household income

−14% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
22%
Home value to income
3.7×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Kansas City

Median gross rent in Kansas City is $1,292 a month, 13% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,250–$1,499 range, which holds 19.5% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 33.8% pay $1,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $261,600, and 1.4% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Kansas City vs. Missouri vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Kansas City: $1,292; Missouri: $1,067; U.S.: $1,487 Kansas City $1,292 Missouri $1,067 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Kansas City: $1,808; Missouri: $1,589; U.S.: $2,035 Kansas City $1,808 Missouri $1,589 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Kansas City: $261,600; Missouri: $254,400; U.S.: $360,600 Kansas City $261,600 Missouri $254,400 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureKansas CityMissouriU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,292$1,067$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,808$1,589$2,035
Median home value$261,600$254,400$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Kansas City

What renters pay in Kansas City Share of renter households paying cash rent in Kansas City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 4.9%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 0.8%. Median $1,292. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 4.9% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3.1% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 16.6% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 22.2% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 19.5% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 23% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 7.3% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 1.7% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 1% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 0.8% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,292 (Kansas City) 23%
Show the data table
RangeKansas CityU.S.
Less than $5004.9%6.1%
$500–$7493.1%6.8%
$750–$99916.6%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24922.2%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49919.5%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99923%22.2%
$2,000–$2,4997.3%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9991.7%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4991%3.2%
$3,500 or more0.8%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Kansas City

Home values in Kansas City Share of owner-occupied homes in Kansas City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 12%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 0.4%. Median $261,600. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $100,000: 12% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 9.1% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 11.5% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 14.8% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 11.4% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 17.6% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 11.2% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 8.7% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 2.4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 1% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 0.4% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $261,600 (Kansas City) 17.6%
Show the data table
RangeKansas CityU.S.
Less than $100,00012%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9999.1%5.7%
$150,000–$199,99911.5%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99914.8%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99911.4%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99917.6%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99911.2%12%
$500,000–$749,9998.7%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9992.4%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9991%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more0.4%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Kansas City

Measure Kansas City Missouri U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,292$1,067$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,172$870$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,260$1,057$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,641$1,285$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,808$1,589$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Kansas City?

At the median, rent takes about 22% of household income in Kansas City. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $51,700 a year.

The median home is worth $261,600, or 3.7 times the median household income.

Household income in Kansas City

The median household in Kansas City earns $69,958 a year, 14% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 9.6% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 17.4% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Kansas City vs. Missouri vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Kansas City: $69,958; Missouri: $71,589; U.S.: $81,604 Kansas City $69,958 Missouri $71,589 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureKansas CityMissouriU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$69,958$71,589$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Kansas City

Household income distribution in Kansas City Share of households in Kansas City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 6.6%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 9.6%. Median $69,958. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 6.6% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.9% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 4.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 4.4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.3% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 7.7% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.4% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 13.5% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 10.1% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 5.8% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 7.8% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 9.6% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $69,958 (Kansas City) 13.5%
Show the data table
RangeKansas CityU.S.
Less than $10,0006.6%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9993.5%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9993.4%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.9%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.2%3%
$30,000–$34,9994.2%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9994.4%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.3%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.5%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9997.7%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.4%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99913.5%12.6%
$100,000–$124,99910.1%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9995.8%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9997.8%9.7%
$200,000 or more9.6%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Kansas City Missouri U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $69,958$71,589$81,604
Median home value $261,600$254,400$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area scored 92.5 for all items. The highest category is goods at 94.1; the lowest is housing rents at 86.6.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Kansas City metro area: 92.5; Missouri: 90.8; U.S.: 100.0 Kansas City metro area 92.5 Missouri 90.8 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Kansas City metro area: 94.1; Missouri: 96.3; U.S.: 99.6 Kansas City metro area 94.1 Missouri 96.3 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Kansas City metro area: 86.6; Missouri: 69.9; U.S.: 100.6 Kansas City metro area 86.6 Missouri 69.9 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Kansas City metro area: 89.0; Missouri: 79.4; U.S.: 98.4 Kansas City metro area 89.0 Missouri 79.4 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Kansas City metro area: 93.4; Missouri: 95.2; U.S.: 100.1 Kansas City metro area 93.4 Missouri 95.2 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureKansas City metro areaMissouriU.S.
All items92.590.8100.0
Goods94.196.399.6
Housing (rents)86.669.9100.6
Utilities89.079.498.4
Other services93.495.2100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Kansas City, MO-KS. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Missouri paid an average of 16.1¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $145 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $22.55 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Missouri averages rather than figures for Kansas City alone.

Energy prices: Missouri vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Missouri: 16.1¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Missouri 16.1¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Missouri: $145; U.S.: $157 Missouri $145 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Missouri: $22.55; U.S.: $19.40 Missouri $22.55 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureMissouriU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)16.1¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$145$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$22.55$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Kansas City who commute spend an average of 21.8 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (70.5% of workers); 15.3% work from home. Gasoline in the Midwest region (PADD 2), which includes Missouri, averaged $4.17 a gallon for regular in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally. EIA publishes no separate Missouri price.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Kansas City: Drove alone 70.5%, Carpooled 7.5%, Public transit 2%, Walked 2.7%, Bicycle 0.1%, Worked from home 15.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.9%. Missouri: Drove alone 74.8%, Carpooled 9%, Public transit 1%, Walked 1.8%, Bicycle 0.2%, Worked from home 11.8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.4%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Kansas City: Drove alone. Kansas City Kansas City · Drove alone: 70.5% 70.5% Kansas City · Carpooled: 7.5% Kansas City · Public transit: 2% Kansas City · Walked: 2.7% Kansas City · Bicycle: 0.1% Kansas City · Worked from home: 15.3% 15.3% Kansas City · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.9% Missouri Missouri · Drove alone: 74.8% 74.8% Missouri · Carpooled: 9% Missouri · Public transit: 1% Missouri · Walked: 1.8% Missouri · Bicycle: 0.2% Missouri · Worked from home: 11.8% 11.8% Missouri · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.4% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationKansas CityMissouriU.S.
Drove alone70.5%74.8%69.2%
Carpooled7.5%9%9.2%
Public transit2%1%3.7%
Walked2.7%1.8%2.4%
Bicycle0.1%0.2%0.5%
Worked from home15.3%11.8%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)1.9%1.4%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Kansas City

Travel time to work in Kansas City Share of workers who do not work from home in Kansas City by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 2.1%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1%. Mean 21.8 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 2.1% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 8.5% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 15.6% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 18.2% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 21.3% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 10.7% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 11.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 2.3% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 4.8% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 1.4% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 21.8 min (Kansas City) 21.3%
Show the data table
RangeKansas CityU.S.
Less than 5 min2.1%2.8%
5–9 min8.5%9.4%
10–14 min15.6%13.1%
15–19 min18.2%15%
20–24 min21.3%14.1%
25–29 min10.7%7%
30–34 min11.5%13.7%
35–39 min2.6%3.4%
40–44 min2.3%4.1%
45–59 min4.8%8.3%
60–89 min1.4%6.3%
90 min or more1%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Kansas City

In 2020, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $211 a week in Jackson County, or $10,957 over 52 weeks. These are 2020 prices, the most recent year the database has for Missouri, and are not adjusted for inflation. The U.S. county median is for 2022, a different year, so no percentage comparison is shown. Jackson County is one of the 4 counties Kansas City spans and holds 62% of Kansas City residents; the database reports counties, not cities.

Weekly child care prices

Type of care Jackson County, 2020 Missouri (median of 7 counties), 2020 U.S. (county median), 2022
Center-based care, infant $211$215$174
Center-based care, toddler $156$169$153
Center-based care, preschool $156$169$144
Center-based care, school-age $122$142$120
Home-based family care, infant $156$153$143
Home-based family care, toddler $116$125$132
Home-based family care, preschool $116$125$131
Home-based family care, school-age $121$142$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2020 (U.S.: 2022) and are not adjusted for inflation. The U.S. comparison uses a different year, so no percentage is shown. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Kansas City prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Kansas City?

Median rent is $1,172 for a one-bedroom and $1,260 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Kansas City?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 24.6% pay less than $1,000 a month, 64.7% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 10.8% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Kansas City?

To keep the median rent of $1,292 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $51,700 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Kansas City more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area at 92.5 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 7.5% below average. Housing rents score 86.6.

How long is the average commute in Kansas City?

21.8 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Kansas City?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $211 a week in Jackson County in 2020, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices. Jackson County is one of the 4 counties Kansas City spans and holds 62% of Kansas City residents; the database reports counties, not cities.