salaryKansas City is the largest city in Missouri that we track, with 510,612 residents. Rent is lower than in 56% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $61,400 a year. That is $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Missouri. It is number 100 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Kansas City with other big cities
Compare Kansas City to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Kansas City?
Share of households by yearly income. 23.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Kansas City
| Size | Kansas City | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,084 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,193 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,400 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,600 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,986 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Kansas City overall?
Everyday prices in the Kansas City metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.5, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Kansas City
Life in Kansas City
What jobs pay in Kansas City
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $139,460 | 13.2% |
| Lawyer | $134,640 | 13.7% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,350 | 13.8% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,760 | 14.1% |
| Software Developer | $124,990 | 14.7% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,340 | 18.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $98,860 | 18.6% |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,750 | 19.9% |
| Operations Manager | $90,490 | 20.4% |
| Registered Nurse | $83,040 | 22.2% |
| Accountant | $80,040 | 23.0% |
| Electrician | $76,860 | 24.0% |
| Plumber | $76,150 | 24.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $72,580 | 25.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,420 | 28.6% |
| Police Officer | $62,960 | 29.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,680 | 29.4% |
| Carpenter | $61,810 | 29.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,060 | 30.2% |
| Firefighter | $60,770 | 30.3% |
| Truck Driver | $60,170 | 30.6% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,300 | 40.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,350 | 41.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,700 | 44.2% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,710 | 46.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $37,370 | 49.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $36,080 | 51.1% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,320 | 53.7% |
| Cashier | $30,700 | 60.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Kansas City?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $150 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $242,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $24,290 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Kansas City, MO?
Renting in Kansas City costs a median of about $1,535 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.
How much do I need to make to live in Kansas City?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $61,400 a year, or $30 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Kansas City cheap or expensive?
Kansas City is rated OK: rent takes 24.7% of the typical household income of $74,596. It ranks 100th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Kansas City?
The median homeowner in Kansas City pays $2,671 a year in property taxes, about 1.10% of the median home value.
Is Kansas City more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Kansas City?
The median home value in Kansas City is $242,900, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.
510,612 people live in Kansas City. Numbers are typical (middle) values.