Planning to relocate? If you have considered living in Missouri or Kansas, you’ve made a hard decision for yourself.
Both states are right next to each other in the midwest and share the same city of “Kansas City.” While there are some positive similarities, there are some key differences you’ll need to consider when choosing which one to live in.
This post will compare the two states in a number of areas to help you decide which location is best for you.
Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas? Which One Is Better to Live In?
Both Missouri and Kansas have their differences. We’ve compiled a list that compares and contrasts both states at a high level.
Kansas vs. Missouri Comparison
Category | Missouri | Kansas |
Cost of Living (Compared to National Average) | Low | Low |
Unemployment Rate (2021) | 3.5% | 3.6% |
# of Businesses that Started in 2018 | 153,710 | 50,729 |
Average Household Income (2019) | $55,461 | $59,597 |
Sales Tax Rate | 4.225% | 6.5% |
Property Tax Rate | 2.24% median | 2.69% median |
Income Tax Rate | 0% - 5.4% | 3.1% - 5.7% |
Average Property Price | $157,200 | $151,900 |
Average Health Insurance Costs Per Person | $620 | $534 |
Grocery | 94.9% of national average | 93% of national average |
# of Major League Sports Teams | 4 | 1 |
# of State Parks | 60+ | 40+ |
# of Lakes | 40+ | 40+ |
# of Cities Over The Population of 25,000 | 27 | 15 |
In both states, you can expect low taxes, low cost of living and some great attractions.
On the other hand, there are certain areas where you can see a big difference between the states:
- Healthcare Costs: On average, Kansas has a lower healthcare cost at $230.80 vs. Missouri, which is around $595.
- Sports Teams: If you’re into sports, Missouri sweeps the field. They have 4 major league sports teams: The Chiefs, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues and St. Louis City SC.
- Number of Businesses: Missouri has triple the number of registered businesses than Kansas.
- Overall Population: Missouri has much more people living in the state than Kansas. 6.137 million to 2.913 million.
Everything You Need to Know About Both States: Missouri & Kansas
Taxes: Missouri vs. Kansas
Both Kansas and Missouri have a similar income tax and they are both in the lower half compared to the rest of the US. Missouri taxes overall are slightly lower compared to Kansas with an average of 3.75%, but the difference is only minor.
On the other hand, both states have a relatively high sales tax rate with Kansas being 12th highest in the country and Missouri being 14th highest in the country. The biggest difference in tax rates between the two states is property taxes. Property taxes are more difficult to quantify because they are dependent on the property value and they vary from county to county. However, when you consider averages, Missouri has a more favorable property tax rate.
Missouri | Kansas | |
Sales Tax Rate | 4.225% | 6.5% |
Property Tax Rate | 2.24% median | 2.69% median |
Income Tax Rate | 0% - 5.4% | 3.1% - 5.7% |
Cost of Living: Missouri vs. Kansas
The cost of living in Missouri and Kansas are relatively similar. In Missouri, the overall cost of living is 85.9% of the national average, while in Kansas, it is 83.1% of the average.
The cost of groceries in both states is almost the same and comes close to the national average, so even though you will make savings elsewhere, don’t expect your groceries to be extremely cheap.
Health insurance is one major area where the cost of living differs greatly. Residents in Kansas can expect to pay more than double the amount that those in Missouri do for health insurance each month.
Missouri | Kansas | |
Average Property Price | $157,200 | $151,900 |
Average Health Insurance Costs Per Person | $620 | $534 |
Grocery | 94.9% of national average | 93% of national average |
Average Household Income (2018) | $55,461 | $59,597 |
Sports: Missouri vs. Kansas
Leisure and entertainment are important considerations that have an overall impact on your quality of life. When trying to decide which Kansas City is better to visit or live in, how do the sports on offer compare?
If you are a sports fan, Missouri may be the better option because there is a lack of local teams in Kansas.
Kansas | Missouri | |
NFL Football Team | No | Yes (The Chiefs) |
NBA Basketball Team | No | No |
NHL Hockey Team | No | Yes (st. Louis Blues) |
MLS Soccer Team | Yes (Sporting Kansas City) | Yes (St. Louis City SC) |
MLB Baseball Team | No | Yes (Kansas City Royals) |
Weather: Missouri vs. Kansas
The weather in Missouri and Kansas is very similar, although you can expect the temperature to drop lower in Missouri than it does in Kansas.
Kansas | Missouri | |
Avg. Summer Temp | 81 degrees Fahrenheit | 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit |
Avg. Winter Temp | 15-25 degrees Fahrenheit | Below 10 degrees Fahrenheit |
Avg. # of Severe Thunderstorms Per Year | 40-50 | 40-50 |
Top Places to Visit in Missouri
Entertainment opportunities are very important when deciding whether you want to move to a new area. There are plenty of great places to visit in Missouri whether you are a visitor or a resident.
Location Name | Description | Address |
St. Louis Gateway Arch | A gateway arch in the city of St. Louis with a 630 foot elevator, providing great views of the city. | St. Louis, MO 63102 |
Branson | The self-titled country music capital of the universe. A popular tourist attraction for country music fans around the world. | Branson, MO |
Forest Park | A 1,300 acre urban park complete with a zoo, art museum, history museum and science center. | 5595 Grand Drive, St. Louis, MO |
Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum | An interesting museum covering the life and career of President Harry S. Truman. | 500 W US Highway 24, Independence, MO |
Top Places to Visit in Kansas
Kansas has plenty of excellent attractions to visit too.
Location | Description | Address |
Kansas State Capitol | Enjoy a tour of the capitol building and climb the 296 steps to get a closer look at the spectacular dome. | SW 10th and SW Jackson, Topeka, Kansas |
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve | One of the only places left in America to see the Tallgrass Prairie. | 2 miles north of Strong City on K-177, Kansas |
Evel Knievel Museum | A museum dedicated to America’s most famous daredevil, with two stories of collections. | 2047 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kansas |
Monument Rocks | This national landmark, also known as the Chalk Pyramids is one of the best examples of the natural beauty in Kansas. | Gove 16, Oakley, Kansas |
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning to relocate, Missouri or Kansas are both great options.
Kansas has a more rural feel and Missouri enjoys more populated urban towns.
If sports is your family’s passion, Missouri might be the state for you. If you’re concerned about cost of living, Kansas is a better bet.
We hope this article was helpful in your pursuit of finding your next home in the midwest!
If you have any questions about both states or are looking for homes in the area, please reach out to our team at 816-716-5172 or contact us here. We’d love to share with you what we know!