Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Cincinnati and Kansas City have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Ohio salaries · Missouri salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Cincinnati has a housing index of 76 while Kansas City sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Cincinnati costs $195,000 compared to $220,000 in Kansas City, a difference of $25,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Cincinnati versus $1,100 in Kansas City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Cincinnati scores 99 while Kansas City scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Cincinnati (96) match Kansas City (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Cincinnati is $44,003 compared to $57,478 in Kansas City. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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