Hartford vs Kansas City: cost of living compared
Kansas City is 25% cheaper than Hartford overall. State income tax tops out around 4.95% in MO vs 5.5% in CT.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Hartford and Kansas City presents a significant shift in overall cost of living. Kansas City is noticeably more affordable across the board, with its overall expenses being considerably lower than the national average, while Hartford's costs are well above it. This substantial difference is driven by lower prices in nearly every major spending category in Kansas City, making it a more budget-friendly option for many.
Housing
Housing costs show a clear advantage for Kansas City, where both median home prices and typical one-bedroom rents are substantially lower than in Hartford. While Hartford features a mix of historic homes and urban apartments, Kansas City offers a diverse housing stock that includes older, established neighborhoods and newer developments. Property taxes and insurance costs can vary, but the initial purchase or rental price gap is considerable.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses are consistently lower in Kansas City. Transportation costs are more favorable, and food, healthcare, and miscellaneous goods and services are all noticeably cheaper. Utilities, in particular, are a much bigger expense in Hartford compared to Kansas City. Additionally, Missouri's state income tax rate is slightly lower than Connecticut's, contributing to overall savings on earnings.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Hartford experiences four distinct seasons, including cold, snowy winters, and is a more densely populated New England city. Kansas City also has four seasons, with hot summers and cold winters, but is known for its more sprawling Midwestern character and generally flatter terrain. Both metros offer cultural amenities and professional opportunities, though their pace and urban density differ, as does the typical commute time, which is roughly similar.
Bottom line
For those considering a move, Kansas City generally offers a much more economical lifestyle compared to Hartford. The most significant savings would likely be realized in housing and utilities, but nearly all spending categories contribute to a lower overall cost. A household budget would stretch considerably further in Kansas City, allowing for more discretionary spending or greater savings, despite similar commute times.
| Measure | Hartford, CT | Kansas City, MO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 88 |
| Housing index | 86 | 68 |
| Transportation index | 100 | 89 |
| Food index | 108 | 90 |
| Healthcare index | 112 | 92 |
| Utilities index | 148 | 95 |
| Misc index | 108 | 85 |
| Median home price | $298,000 | $238,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,350/mo | $1,050/mo |
| Average commute | 27 min | 25 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Kansas City home with the True Cost Calculator.