Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Kansas City, MO's $1,180, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas City than in Oklahoma City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Kansas City versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.

Which has lower taxes, Kansas City or Oklahoma City?

Kansas City is taxed under Missouri's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Kansas City vs Oklahoma City Cost of Living 2026

Kansas City

Missouri

$1,180/mo est.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,180 in Kansas City, MO versus $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Kansas City, MO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City, MO and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 1% higher in Kansas City, MO. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Kansas City, MO

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio

$961

$795

+17% in Kansas City, MO

1 Bedroom

$1,031

$882

+14% in Kansas City, MO

2 Bedroom

$1,211

$1,085

+10% in Kansas City, MO

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$1,356

+2% in Kansas City, MO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$227,000

$215,100

+5% in Kansas City, MO

Income

Median Household Income

$67,449

$66,702

+1% in Kansas City, MO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,820

$47,230

+7% in Kansas City, MO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.0 yr

+0.7 yr in Kansas City, MO

Homeownership

54.6%

59.1%

+4.5 pp in Oklahoma City, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.8%

34.0%

+3.8 pp in Kansas City, MO

Avg Commute

21.9 min

22.2 min

+0.3 min in Oklahoma City, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,556.3

685.6

+56% in Kansas City, MO

Property Crime

4,719.3

2,928.9

+38% in Kansas City, MO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.7°F

61.5°F

+4.8°F in Oklahoma City, OK

Annual Precipitation

39.1 in

36.5 in

+2.5 in in Kansas City, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.35/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$1.75

+13% in Kansas City, MO

Adult base one-way fare — RideKC (KCATA) vs EMBARK (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

13.6

+1% in Oklahoma City, OK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.74

$15.95

+1% in Oklahoma City, OK

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Oklahoma City, OK

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$1.73

+3% in Kansas City, MO

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Kansas City, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$6.56

+6% in Kansas City, MO

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$1.90

+12% in Kansas City, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.61

+3% in Kansas City, MO

Average prices — Midwest vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MO / OK)

4.225%

4.5%

+0.3 pp in OK

Income Tax (top rate)

4.70%

4.50%

+0.2 pp in MO

Kansas City vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or Oklahoma City?: Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Kansas City, MO's $1,180, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas City than in Oklahoma City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Kansas City versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Kansas City or Oklahoma City?: Kansas City is taxed under Missouri's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).