Moving from Kansas City, MO-KS to Lawrence, KS
About 4,886 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 3,591 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Lawrence, KS.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.3% of income in Kansas City, MO-KS and 21.5% in Lawrence, KS.
Kansas City, MO-KS Lawrence, KS (monthly)
| Monthly | Kansas City, MO-KS | Lawrence, KS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,244 | $1,253 | +$8 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $192 | $259 | +$67 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Kansas City. | $58 | $0 | −$58 |
| Take-home pay | $4,589 | $4,581 | −$8 |
| Housing | $1,366 | $1,103 | −$263 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,366 | $1,103 | −$263 |
| Food | $415 | $414 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 94.0 | $415 | $414 | $0 |
| Transportation | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $164 | $164 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $25 | $31 | +$6 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $25 | $31 | +$6 |
| Other goods & services | $937 | $939 | +$2 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 94.0 | $471 | $470 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 93.8 | $467 | $469 | +$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,682 | $1,929 | +$248 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 16.6% of income in Kansas City, MO-KS and 16.3% in Lawrence, KS.
Kansas City, MO-KS Lawrence, KS (monthly)
| Monthly | Kansas City, MO-KS | Lawrence, KS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,663 | $1,633 | −$29 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $328 | $398 | +$71 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Kansas City. | $100 | $0 | −$100 |
| Take-home pay | $8,337 | $8,367 | +$29 |
| Housing | $1,546 | $1,272 | −$274 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,546 | $1,272 | −$274 |
| Childcare | $1,560 | $1,201 | −$360 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2020 / DOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $144/wk, school-age $82/wk (2022 prices, Douglas County, KS); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,560 | $1,201 | −$360 |
| Food | $1,207 | $1,206 | −$1 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 94.0 | $1,207 | $1,206 | −$1 |
| Transportation | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.11/gal (Midwest (PADD)) | $329 | $329 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $35 | $31 | −$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.5% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $35 | $31 | −$4 |
| Other goods & services | $937 | $939 | +$2 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 94.0 | $471 | $470 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 93.8 | $467 | $469 | +$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,723 | $3,389 | +$667 |
Kansas City, MO-KS vs Lawrence, KS at a glance
| Measure | Kansas City, MO-KS | Lawrence, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 92.5 | 90.2 |
| Housing price level | 86.6 | 71.6 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,366 | $1,103 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,546 | $1,272 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,020 | $1,761 |
| Median home value | $287,300 | $309,400 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.09% | 1.22% |
| Median household income | $83,460 | $69,746 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $211 (2020 price) | $186 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | Kansas City | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 4.225% | 6.5% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $138 | $126 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Lawrence, KS to keep my Kansas City, MO-KS lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Kansas City, MO-KS, about $65,556 in Lawrence, KS (−6.3%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $109,303. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Lawrence, KS cheaper than Kansas City, MO-KS?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Lawrence, KS is at 90.2 and Kansas City, MO-KS at 92.5 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$248 a month in Lawrence, KS.
How many people move from Kansas City, MO-KS to Lawrence, KS?+
About 4,886 people a year (±823), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 3,591 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.