Home › Compare › Dallas, TX vs Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living: Dallas, TX vs Kansas City, MO

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

8.8% Kansas City, MO is cheaper overall
22.2% 22.2% cheaper housing
1.0% 1.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 22.2% cheaper
Dallas
108
Kansas City
84
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Dallas
97
Kansas City
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Dallas
101
Kansas City
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
Dallas
98
Kansas City
96
⚡ Utilities 3.8% cheaper
Dallas
104
Kansas City
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Dallas, TX Kansas City, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index102938.8% less
Housing1088422.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,400$1,10021.4% less
Median Home Price$340,000$240,00029.4% less
Groceries9796~Same
Transportation101100~Same
Healthcare9896~Same
Utilities1041003.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Dallas, TX Kansas City, MO
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax6.25%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.60%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Dallas, TX
$72,000
Median household income
Kansas City, MO
$62,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Kansas City costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Kansas City to maintain your Dallas lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Dallas (102) vs Kansas City (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Dallas3.8%
Kansas City3.6%
Job Growth (YoY)
Dallas3.4%
Kansas City2.5%
Top Industries
DallasTech, Finance, Telecom
Kansas CityTech, Finance, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Dallas28 min
Kansas City23 min
Walk Score
Dallas46
Kansas City35
Air Quality (AQI)
Dallas48
Kansas City42
Avg Temperature
Dallas66°F
Kansas City54°F
Population
Dallas1,288,457
Kansas City508,090

Moving from Dallas to Kansas City?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Dallas and Kansas City → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Kansas City →

Compare Other Cities

Dallas vs Austin → Dallas vs Denver → Dallas vs Nashville → Kansas City vs Raleigh → Kansas City vs Portland → Kansas City vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dallas or Kansas City cheaper to live in?+
Kansas City is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 22.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Dallas vs Kansas City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,400/month in Dallas and $1,100/month in Kansas City — a difference of about $300 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Dallas or Kansas City?+
Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Missouri has a state income tax of 4.80% (top) and sales tax of 4.23%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Dallas to Kansas City?+
Median household income in Dallas is $72,000 compared to $62,000 in Kansas City. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Dallas vs Kansas City?+
The median home price in Dallas is $340,000 versus $240,000 in Kansas City — a difference of $100,000. Property tax rates also differ: Texas averages 1.60% while Missouri averages 0.88%.