Home › Compare › Sacramento, CA vs Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living: Sacramento, CA 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.

21.2% Kansas City, MO is cheaper overall
40.8% 40.8% cheaper housing
7.7% 7.7% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 40.8% cheaper
Sacramento
142
Kansas City
84
🛒 Groceries 7.7% cheaper
Sacramento
104
Kansas City
96
🚗 Transportation 10.7% cheaper
Sacramento
112
Kansas City
100
🏥 Healthcare 11.1% cheaper
Sacramento
108
Kansas City
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
Sacramento
100
Kansas City
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Sacramento, CA Kansas City, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1189321.2% less
Housing1428440.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,650$1,10033.3% less
Median Home Price$450,000$240,00046.7% less
Groceries104967.7% less
Transportation11210010.7% less
Healthcare1089611.1% less
Utilities100100~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Sacramento, CA Kansas City, MO
State Income Tax13.30% (top)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax7.25%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Sacramento, CA
$78,000
Median household income
Kansas City, MO
$62,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Kansas City outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

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Based on overall cost index: Sacramento (118) vs Kansas City (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Sacramento4.2%
Kansas City3.6%
Job Growth (YoY)
Sacramento2.7%
Kansas City2.5%
Top Industries
SacramentoGovernment, Healthcare, Agriculture
Kansas CityTech, Finance, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Sacramento27 min
Kansas City23 min
Walk Score
Sacramento44
Kansas City35
Air Quality (AQI)
Sacramento50
Kansas City42
Avg Temperature
Sacramento61°F
Kansas City54°F
Population
Sacramento524,943
Kansas City508,090

Moving from Sacramento to Kansas City?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Sacramento 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sacramento 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 40.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Sacramento vs Kansas City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,650/month in Sacramento and $1,100/month in Kansas City — a difference of about $550 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Sacramento or Kansas City?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. 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 Sacramento to Kansas City?+
Median household income in Sacramento is $78,000 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 Sacramento vs Kansas City?+
The median home price in Sacramento is $450,000 versus $240,000 in Kansas City — a difference of $210,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Missouri averages 0.88%.