City vs city
Chicago, IL vs Kansas City, MO
- Rent is 16% lower in Kansas City (median $1,238/mo vs $1,440/mo in Chicago).
- Homes cost 38% less in Kansas City ($243k vs $334k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $284 more a month after taxes and rent in Kansas City.
- Schools rate higher in Chicago (2.4/10 vs 1.6/10).
- Chicago has less violent crime (4.2 vs 13.8 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Kansas City has milder winters (31°F vs 26°F average).
- Kansas City gets more sun (217 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | Kansas City | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,238/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $243k |
| Median household income | $78k | $69k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $3,679 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 1.6/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 3.8× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 90°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 31°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 217 |
| Walk score | 77 | 34 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 510,612 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
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