City cost comparison
Kansas City vs St. Louis
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing Kansas City, MO against St. Louis, MO.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $630 | $675 | +7% cheaper in Kansas City |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $1,093 | $1,181 | +7% cheaper in Kansas City |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $560 | $620 | +10% cheaper in Kansas City |
| FoodPer child / month | $301 | $324 | +7% cheaper in Kansas City |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $74 | $77 | +4% cheaper in Kansas City |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.