Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Kansas City and Syracuse 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: Missouri salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Kansas City has a housing index of 80 while Syracuse sits at 69 (national average = 100). The median home in Kansas City costs $220,000 compared to $140,000 in Syracuse, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Kansas City versus $950 in Syracuse.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Kansas City scores 97 while Syracuse scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Kansas City (96) are lower than Syracuse (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Kansas City is $57,478 compared to $36,708 in Syracuse. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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