Kansas City vs Sacramento: cost of living compared
Sacramento is 45% more expensive than Kansas City overall. State income tax tops out around 4.95% in MO vs 9.3% in CA.
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 Kansas City and Sacramento involves a substantial shift in living expenses. Overall, Kansas City offers a noticeably more affordable cost of living compared to Sacramento. This difference is primarily driven by housing costs, which are significantly higher in the California capital. Other categories like transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities also contribute to Sacramento being a more expensive place to reside.
Housing
The gap in housing costs between these two metros is quite pronounced. Both median home prices and typical rental rates for a one-bedroom apartment are considerably higher in Sacramento. Kansas City generally features a mix of older, established homes and newer developments, often with more spacious properties. Sacramento's housing market, influenced by its California location, tends to be denser and more competitive, with higher property taxes and insurance costs reflecting the overall market value.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses will also see a significant change. California's state income tax rate is considerably higher than Missouri's, impacting take-home pay. Beyond that, transportation costs, including fuel and vehicle maintenance, are more expensive in Sacramento. Groceries, healthcare services, and utility bills for electricity, gas, and water are all noticeably higher in Sacramento, meaning routine spending adds up more quickly there.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, lifestyle differences are notable. Kansas City experiences four distinct seasons, including cold winters and hot, humid summers, with a higher risk of severe weather. Sacramento enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. While both are car-dependent, Sacramento's commutes are slightly longer on average, and it offers some light rail options. Kansas City has a more expansive highway system and a growing streetcar line downtown, contributing to different paces of urban life.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are clear: a budget stretches much further in Kansas City than in Sacramento. The substantial savings in housing, coupled with lower costs across nearly all other spending categories and a more favorable state income tax, mean a significantly reduced financial burden. Conversely, moving to Sacramento requires a prepared budget for considerably higher expenses, particularly for housing, to maintain a similar standard of living.
| Measure | Kansas City, MO | Sacramento, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 88 | 128 |
| Housing index | 68 | 132 |
| Transportation index | 89 | 110 |
| Food index | 90 | 108 |
| Healthcare index | 92 | 108 |
| Utilities index | 95 | 125 |
| Misc index | 85 | 105 |
| Median home price | $238,000 | $498,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,050/mo | $1,750/mo |
| Average commute | 25 min | 30 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Sacramento home with the True Cost Calculator.