Los Angeles, CA vs Kansas City, MO
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Kansas City runs $227,000 versus $880,000 in Los Angeles, a 74% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Kansas City — a top rate of 5.0% versus 13.3% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$879,500
$227,000 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$245,199
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo
$1,186/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
54.6%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
15.9x
Median Household Income
$80,366 ✓
$67,449
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$40,112
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.7% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
14.6%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
23.5 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
72.7%
Public Transit %
6.7%
1.9%
Work From Home %
17.3%
14.8%
State Income Tax
13.3%
5.0%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.4% ✓
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
1.0%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
23.8%
Median Age
36.9
35.7
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
66.4°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
38.1"
Annual Snowfall
—
11"
Los Angeles, CA 1 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
Kansas City, MO 4 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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