Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or Seattle?

Kansas City, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,180 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Kansas City versus $74,000 in Seattle.

Which has lower taxes, Kansas City or Seattle?

Kansas City is taxed under Missouri's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Kansas City vs Seattle Cost of Living 2026

Kansas City

Missouri

$1,180/mo est.

Seattle

Washington

$2,020/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 $2,020 in Seattle, WA. Overall, Kansas City, MO is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City, MO and $121,984 in Seattle, WA — about 45% higher in Seattle, WA. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Kansas City, MO

Seattle, WA

Rent

Studio

$961

$1,638

+70% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,031

$1,858

+80% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,211

$2,359

+95% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,381

$2,918

+111% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$227,000

$912,100

+302% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$67,449

$121,984

+81% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,820

$72,610

+43% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.5 yr

+0.2 yr in Kansas City, MO

Homeownership

54.6%

44.2%

+10.4 pp in Kansas City, MO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.8%

67.5%

+29.7 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

21.9 min

26.6 min

+4.7 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,556.3

787.3

+49% in Kansas City, MO

Property Crime

4,719.3

5,107.9

+8% in Seattle, WA

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

53.5°F

+3.2°F in Kansas City, MO

Annual Precipitation

39.1 in

37.7 in

+1.3 in in Kansas City, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.35/gal

$5.77/gal

+33% in Seattle, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Seattle.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

$2.75

+38% in Seattle, WA

Adult base one-way fare — RideKC (KCATA) vs King County Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.4

14.4

+7% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.74

$17.32

+10% in Seattle, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.37

+6% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$2.10

+17% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.25

+38% in Kansas City, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$7.23

+4% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$2.14

+1% in Kansas City, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.74

+18% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MO / WA)

4.225%

6.5%

+2.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.70%

None

+4.7 pp in MO

Kansas City vs Seattle — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or Seattle?: Kansas City, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,180 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Seattle, WA's $2,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas City than in Seattle?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Kansas City versus $74,000 in Seattle.
Which has lower taxes, Kansas City or Seattle?: Kansas City is taxed under Missouri's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax); Seattle under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).