dayblip

Columbus vs Kansas City

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Kansas City is the same cost than Columbus overall.Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 vs Kansas City at 90 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is transport Kansas City costs 1% less.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Columbus
OH
90
COLI index
VS
Kansas City
MO
90
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryColumbusKansas CityDifference
Overall COLI9090Same
Housing9090Same
Groceries101101Same
Transport101102+1%
Healthcare101101Same
Utilities106105-1%

Median 1BR Rent

Columbus
$1,200/mo
Kansas City
$1,150/mo

Median Home Price

Columbus
$245,000
Kansas City
$240,000

Median Household Income

Columbus
$56,776
Kansas City
$58,649

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Columbus is cheaper to live in overall. Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 while Kansas City has an index of 90, where 100 represents the US national average. Kansas City is 0% cheaper than Columbus overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Columbus is $1,200 per month compared to $1,150 in Kansas City. The median home price in Columbus is $245,000 versus $240,000 in Kansas City. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Columbus has a cost of living index of 90 and Kansas City has an index of 90, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Columbus, multiply by 1.00. For example a $75,000 salary in Columbus is equivalent to approximately $75,000 in Kansas City.

Columbus has a median household income of $56,776 per year versus $58,649 in Kansas City. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Columbus to Kansas City is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Kansas City is 0% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in transport. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.