Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Columbus 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. Columbus has a housing index of 82 while Kansas City sits at 80 (national average = 100). The median home in Columbus costs $240,000 compared to $220,000 in Kansas City, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,200 in Columbus versus $1,100 in Kansas City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Columbus scores 99 while Kansas City scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Columbus (96) match Kansas City (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Columbus is $56,590 compared to $57,478 in Kansas City. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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