Moving from Lawrence, KS to Kansas City, MO-KS
About 3,591 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 4,886 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Kansas City, MO-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 21.5% of income in Lawrence, KS and 21.3% in Kansas City, MO-KS.
Lawrence, KS Kansas City, MO-KS (monthly)
| Monthly | Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO-KS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,253 | $1,244 | −$8 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $259 | $192 | −$67 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Kansas City. | $0 | $58 | +$58 |
| Take-home pay | $4,581 | $4,589 | +$8 |
| Housing | $1,103 | $1,366 | +$263 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,103 | $1,366 | +$263 |
| Food | $414 | $415 | $0 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 94.1 | $414 | $415 | $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 | $31 | $25 | −$6 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4.225% on other goods; 1.225% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $25 | −$6 |
| Other goods & services | $939 | $937 | −$2 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 94.1 | $470 | $471 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 93.4 | $469 | $467 | −$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,929 | $1,682 | −$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 16.3% of income in Lawrence, KS and 16.6% in Kansas City, MO-KS.
Lawrence, KS Kansas City, MO-KS (monthly)
| Monthly | Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO-KS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,633 | $1,663 | +$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 | $398 | $328 | −$71 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Kansas City. | $0 | $100 | +$100 |
| Take-home pay | $8,367 | $8,337 | −$29 |
| Housing | $1,272 | $1,546 | +$274 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,272 | $1,546 | +$274 |
| Childcare | $1,201 | $1,560 | +$360 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 / DOL NDCP 2020 · preschool $156/wk, school-age $122/wk (2020 prices, Jackson County, MO); × 1.2945 BLS CPI day care, 2020 to 2026-08; Jackson County, MO has no 2022 NDCP price; the latest published year, 2020, is used | $1,201 | $1,560 | +$360 |
| Food | $1,206 | $1,207 | +$1 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 94.1 | $1,206 | $1,207 | +$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 | $31 | $35 | +$4 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 4.225% on other goods; 1.225% on groceries — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $35 | +$4 |
| Other goods & services | $939 | $937 | −$2 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 94.1 | $470 | $471 | $0 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 93.4 | $469 | $467 | −$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $3,389 | $2,723 | −$667 |
Lawrence, KS vs Kansas City, MO-KS at a glance
| Measure | Lawrence, KS | Kansas City, MO-KS |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 90.2 | 92.5 |
| Housing price level | 71.6 | 86.6 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,103 | $1,366 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,272 | $1,546 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,761 | $2,020 |
| Median home value | $309,400 | $287,300 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.22% | 1.09% |
| Median household income | $69,746 | $83,460 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $186 | $211 (2020 price) |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | Kansas City |
| State sales tax | 6.5% | 4.225% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.11 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $126 | $138 |
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 Kansas City, MO-KS to keep my Lawrence, KS lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Lawrence, KS, about $74,588 in Kansas City, MO-KS (+6.6%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $130,733. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Kansas City, MO-KS cheaper than Lawrence, KS?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Kansas City, MO-KS is at 92.5 and Lawrence, KS at 90.2 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$248 a month in Kansas City, MO-KS.
How many people move from Lawrence, KS to Kansas City, MO-KS?+
About 3,591 people a year (±530), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 4,886 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.