Little Rock wins overall by ~11% (COL index)
Cost of living: Kansas City vs Little Rock (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Kansas City buys roughly what $54,066 does in Little Rock (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$2,611/yr
Favoring Little Rock for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $218/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~69 months and still keep ~$26/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Kansas City Missouri | Little Rock Arkansas | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $950 | $900Better | Little wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Little |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,200 | $1,100Better | Little wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Little |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,450Better | Little wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Little |
| Median home price | $280K | $215KWins | Little wins −$65K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 95 | 93Better | Little wins -2 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12 | $11Better | Little wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $50 | $48Better | Little wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $70 | $40Wins | Little wins −$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Little |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00 | $2.98Better | Little wins −$0.02 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $145Better | $152 | Kansas wins +$7/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Better | $168 | Kansas wins +$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60 | $58Better | Little wins −$2/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58KWins | $50K | Kansas wins −$8K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.4% | 4.4%Wins | Little wins -1.0 pp | $600/yr saves in Little |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.6%Better | 9.3% | Kansas wins +0.7 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00 | $13.00Better | Little wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35 | $32Better | Little wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Better | $5.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 91 | 82Better | Little wins -9 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 38Wins | 26 | Kansas wins -12 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Little Rock fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Little Rock.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Kansas City cheaper than Little Rock?
No. Little Rock is 11% cheaper than Kansas City based on overall cost of living indices (82 vs 91, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Kansas City vs Little Rock?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City is $1,200/month and in Little Rock is $1,100/month. Kansas City is more expensive by 9%.
How much do I need to earn in Little Rock to match a $75,000 salary in Kansas City?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $67,582/year in Little Rock to match a $75,000 salary in Kansas City. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Kansas City or Little Rock?
Little Rock has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 5.4%. The difference is 1.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Kansas City to Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. Little Rock offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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