Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Kansas City and Tucson 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 · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Kansas City has a housing index of 80 while Tucson sits at 83 (national average = 100). The median home in Kansas City costs $220,000 compared to $265,000 in Tucson, a difference of $45,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Kansas City versus $1,100 in Tucson.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Kansas City scores 97 while Tucson scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Kansas City (96) are higher than Tucson (93). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Kansas City is $57,478 compared to $43,425 in Tucson. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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