Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $866 in Missouri. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 12% cheaper on rent than Missouri, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $55,279 in Missouri — about 12% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
4.225%
+2.3 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
4.70%
+0.9 pp in Kansas
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$866
+14% in Missouri
Median Home Value
$179,500
$185,100
+3% in Missouri
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$55,279
+12% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
56.3°F
+0.7°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Missouri — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Missouri?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 12% below Missouri's $866, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Missouri?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Kansas versus $35,000 in Missouri.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Missouri?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Missouri — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.