dayblip

Philadelphia vs Kansas City

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

Compare a different city:

VS

QUICK ANSWER

Kansas City is 20% cheaper than Philadelphia overall.Philadelphia has a cost of living index of 113 vs Kansas City at 90 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Philadelphia costs 38% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Philadelphia
PA
113
COLI index
VS
Kansas City
MO
90
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryPhiladelphiaKansas CityDifference
Overall COLI11390-20%
Housing14590-38%
Groceries106101-5%
Transport110102-7%
Healthcare105101-4%
Utilities120105-12%

Median 1BR Rent

Philadelphia
$1,700/mo
Kansas City
$1,150/mo

Median Home Price

Philadelphia
$240,000
Kansas City
$240,000

Median Household Income

Philadelphia
$49,127
Kansas City
$58,649

Share Your Result

Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family

Frequently Asked Questions

Kansas City is cheaper to live in overall. Philadelphia has a cost of living index of 113 while Kansas City has an index of 90, where 100 represents the US national average. Kansas City is 20% cheaper than Philadelphia overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Philadelphia is $1,700 per month compared to $1,150 in Kansas City. The median home price in Philadelphia is $240,000 versus $240,000 in Kansas City. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Philadelphia has a cost of living index of 113 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 Philadelphia, multiply by 0.80. For example a $75,000 salary in Philadelphia is equivalent to approximately $59,735 in Kansas City.

Philadelphia has a median household income of $49,127 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 Philadelphia to Kansas City is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Kansas City is 20% cheaper 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.