Home › Compare › Seattle, WA vs Kansas City, MO

Cost of Living: Seattle, WA 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.

25.0% Kansas City, MO is cheaper overall
46.2% 46.2% cheaper housing
11.1% 11.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 46.2% cheaper
Seattle
156
Kansas City
84
🛒 Groceries 11.1% cheaper
Seattle
108
Kansas City
96
🚗 Transportation 15.3% cheaper
Seattle
118
Kansas City
100
🏥 Healthcare 12.7% cheaper
Seattle
110
Kansas City
96
⚡ Utilities 9.9% more
Seattle
91
Kansas City
100

Detailed Breakdown

Category Seattle, WA Kansas City, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1249325.0% less
Housing1568446.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,050$1,10046.3% less
Median Home Price$780,000$240,00069.2% less
Groceries1089611.1% less
Transportation11810015.3% less
Healthcare1109612.7% less
Utilities911009.9% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Seattle, WA Kansas City, MO
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax6.50%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.84%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Seattle, WA
$110,000
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 Seattle lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Seattle (124) vs Kansas City (93). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Seattle3.4%
Kansas City3.6%
Job Growth (YoY)
Seattle3.8%
Kansas City2.5%
Top Industries
SeattleTech, Aerospace, Retail
Kansas CityTech, Finance, Agriculture

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Seattle30 min
Kansas City23 min
Walk Score
Seattle73
Kansas City35
Air Quality (AQI)
Seattle40
Kansas City42
Avg Temperature
Seattle52°F
Kansas City54°F
Population
Seattle749,256
Kansas City508,090

Moving from Seattle 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 Seattle 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seattle 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 46.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Seattle vs Kansas City?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,050/month in Seattle and $1,100/month in Kansas City — a difference of about $950 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Seattle or Kansas City?+
Washington has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.50%. 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 Seattle to Kansas City?+
Median household income in Seattle is $110,000 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 Seattle vs Kansas City?+
The median home price in Seattle is $780,000 versus $240,000 in Kansas City — a difference of $540,000. Property tax rates also differ: Washington averages 0.84% while Missouri averages 0.88%.