City Comparison
Kansas City vs Moscow
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kansas City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kansas City
Moscow
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Moscow is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
67% higher compared to Kansas City.
| Metric | Kansas City | Moscow | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,231 | $1,338 | -8% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,231 | $1,338 | +67% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kansas City offers 3% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kansas City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kansas City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $84,360 in Moscow.
| Metric | Kansas City | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $84,360 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,640 idx | 68,468 idx |
| Household Income | $56,120 | $57,022 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kansas City | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Moscow has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Kansas City.
Moscow scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Moscow leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kansas City | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 14 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 45.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 48.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kansas City is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Moscow.
From a growth perspective, Kansas City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Moscow has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kansas City | Moscow |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 155,438 | 26,286 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 25.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kansas City
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing, groceries, and healthcare generally below national averages.
Strong job market with diverse opportunities in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
Home to nationally recognized healthcare facilities, including The University of Kansas Hospital, consistently ranked as a top hospital.
Vibrant cultural scene, known for its rich jazz heritage and world-famous barbecue.
Relatively quick commute times compared to other major urban areas.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, leading to high car dependency.
Unpredictable weather with cold winters, hot and humid summers, and a risk of tornadoes.
Lower walkability score compared to more pedestrian-friendly cities.
Certain areas experience higher violent crime rates, which can be a concern for residents.
The city is landlocked, lacking easy access to beaches or mountains.
Moscow
Advantages
High walkability score of 48, making many errands accessible on foot.
Short average commute time of 14.3 minutes, significantly below the national average.
Strong presence of the University of Idaho contributes to a vibrant cultural scene and job market.
Crime rates have seen a significant decrease, with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Rental prices are relatively affordable compared to national averages, despite a higher cost of living than the Idaho average.
Drawbacks
Median household income ($57,022) is below the national average.
Cost of living is 11% higher than the national average.
Limited public transit options contribute to a medium car dependency.
Job growth rate of 0.167% is modest.
Median age of 25.7 is significantly younger than the national average, which may not appeal to all demographics.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kansas City
#68Kansas, USA
60.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,231
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
75
Moscow
#72Idaho, USA
60.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,338
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
111
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
48.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
87
Business
65
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