Home Affordability
#6
of 124 cities
≈2.2 yrs to buy 80m²
Current value
#21 of 124
North America
Kansas City
MO, United States
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Kansas City compare to San Francisco?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Kansas City is 20% worse off vs in San Francisco
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Kansas City compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$78,736
-$94K (-54%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 24%
Community Insights
NewKansas City presents a compelling value proposition for software engineers who prioritize financial freedom and stability over the high-octane lifestyle of a Tier 1 tech hub. While it lacks the density and startup fervor of San Francisco or New York, it compensates with a high quality of life grounded in affordability. You can buy a home here on a single engineer's salary without stress.
The tech scene is anchored by large, stable corporations rather than a booming startup culture, offering good work-life balance but perhaps less career velocity for those chasing the bleeding edge. The city is culturally rich with deep roots in jazz and BBQ, but it remains a sprawling, car-centric metropolis where your experience is heavily dictated by which neighborhood (or suburb) you choose.
Resident Sentiment
Sentiment among transplants is surprisingly positive, often described as "pleasantly surprised." Many moved for a job or affordability expecting to leave, but stayed for the easy living and community warmth.
However, there is a common grumble about the weather extremes (allergies are also a frequent complaint) and the necessity of driving everywhere. Long-time residents aggressively defend the city's culture but will candidly warn newcomers about specific neighborhoods to avoid due to safety concerns.
Rankings
Top 5%
Purchasing Power
#21
of 124 cities
Tax Rate
#23
of 124 cities
24%
Current value (lower is better)
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Kansas City compared to San Francisco?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Kansas City to maintain the same standard of living.
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