Living Cost Compare
Kansas City

Missouri

$1,180/mo est.

vs
Virginia Beach

Virginia

$1,540/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 $1,540 in Virginia Beach, VA. Overall, Kansas City, MO is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Virginia Beach, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,449 in Kansas City, MO and $90,685 in Virginia Beach, VA — about 26% higher in Virginia Beach, VA. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Kansas City, MO
Virginia Beach, VA

Rent

Studio
$961
$1,496
+56% in Virginia Beach, VA
1 Bedroom
$1,031
$1,357
+32% in Virginia Beach, VA
2 Bedroom
$1,211
$1,559
+29% in Virginia Beach, VA
3 Bedroom
$1,381
$1,857
+34% in Virginia Beach, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$227,000
$366,300
+61% in Virginia Beach, VA

Income

Median Household Income
$67,449
$90,685
+34% in Virginia Beach, VA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,820
$49,430
+3% in Kansas City, MO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
37.4 yr
+1.7 yr in Virginia Beach, VA
Homeownership
54.6%
64.9%
+10.3 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
37.8%
40.4%
+2.6 pp in Virginia Beach, VA
Avg Commute
21.9 min
23.2 min
+1.3 min in Virginia Beach, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,556.3
96.7
+94% in Kansas City, MO
Property Crime
4,719.3
1,664.3
+65% 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
59.9°F
+3.2°F in Virginia Beach, VA
Annual Precipitation
39.1 in
44.3 in
+5.3 in in Virginia Beach, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.35/gal
$4.30/gal
+1% in Kansas City, MO

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.00
$2.00
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.4
17.1
+27% in Virginia Beach, VA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.74
$18.75
+19% in Virginia Beach, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.16
+1% in Virginia Beach, VA
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 / VA)
4.225%
5.3%
+1.1 pp in VA
Income Tax (top rate)
4.70%
5.75%
+1.0 pp in VA

Kansas City vs Virginia Beach — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or Virginia Beach?
Kansas City, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,180 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Virginia Beach, VA's $1,540, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas City than in Virginia Beach?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Kansas City versus $54,000 in Virginia Beach.
Which has lower taxes, Kansas City or Virginia Beach?
Kansas City is taxed under Missouri's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax); Virginia Beach under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).