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Kansas City vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Phoenix is 14% more expensive than Kansas City overall.Kansas City has a cost of living index of 90 vs Phoenix at 103 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Phoenix costs 42% less.

Pierre
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Kansas City
MO
90
COLI index
VS
Phoenix
AZ
103
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryKansas CityPhoenixDifference
Overall COLI90103+14%
Housing90128+42%
Groceries101104+3%
Transport102107+5%
Healthcare101103+2%
Utilities105110+5%

Median 1BR Rent

Kansas City
$1,150/mo
Phoenix
$1,600/mo

Median Home Price

Kansas City
$240,000
Phoenix
$385,000

Median Household Income

Kansas City
$58,649
Phoenix
$64,882

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Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City is cheaper to live in overall. Kansas City has a cost of living index of 90 while Phoenix has an index of 103, where 100 represents the US national average. Phoenix is 14% more expensive than Kansas City overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City is $1,150 per month compared to $1,600 in Phoenix. The median home price in Kansas City is $240,000 versus $385,000 in Phoenix. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Kansas City has a cost of living index of 90 and Phoenix has an index of 103, 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 Kansas City, multiply by 1.14. For example a $75,000 salary in Kansas City is equivalent to approximately $85,833 in Phoenix.

Kansas City has a median household income of $58,649 per year versus $64,882 in Phoenix. 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 Kansas City to Phoenix is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Phoenix is 14% more expensive overall — with the biggest difference in housing. 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.