Kansas City, MO Cost of Living & Economic Score
Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Kansas City, MO metropolitan statistical area.
Cost of living in Kansas City
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Kansas City, MO metropolitan area run 8.0% below the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 92.0 on a base of 100). That puts Kansas City close to the middle of the U.S. cost-of-living range.
For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every Missouri household — see the Missouri state report.
Other Missouri metros
- St. Louis, MO RPP 91.0 B-
- Joplin, MO RPP 85.0 B
Compare to similar-cost metros
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Kansas City, MO?
The Kansas City, MO metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 92.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 8.0% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Is Kansas City an affordable place to live?
Kansas City, MO has an InflationRank score of 81/100 (grade B-), reflecting above-average affordability relative to U.S. metros. The metro RPP of 92.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.
How does Kansas City compare to other cities for cost of living?
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.0 (U.S.=100), 8.0% below the national average. Similar-cost metros include Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA (RPP 92.0), Knoxville, TN (RPP 92.0).
About the InflationRank Score
The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.
Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →