Side-by-side comparison of home prices, mortgage payments, and housing costs between Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri. Using Missouri's 0.97% property tax rate and $2,200/year insurance. Updated for 2026.
St. Louis edges out Kansas City in affordability, saving you roughly $481/month on total housing costs. Both cities are in Missouri, so property tax rates and insurance costs are the same — the difference comes down to home prices and what you get for your money in each market.
Estimated PITI payments assuming 10% down, 6.5% rate, 30-year fixed mortgage with PMI. Uses Missouri's 0.97% property tax rate.
Buying in St. Louis saves you approximately $481/month ($5,772/year) compared to Kansas City, based on median home prices with identical loan terms.
St. Louis is the better choice for first-time buyers, with a median price of $195K versus $265K in Kansas City. That's $70K less to save for a down payment. You'd need roughly $7K for an FHA 3.5% down payment in St. Louis, compared to $9K in Kansas City. Missouri offers the MHDC First Place Loan program (Up to 4% cash assistance) which applies in both cities.
St. Louis has the better price-to-rent ratio at 14.5x versus 17.7x in Kansas City. A lower ratio generally signals better rental income relative to purchase price. Average rent in St. Louis is $1,120/month on a $195K median home, making it a stronger candidate for buy-and-rent investors.
Kansas City (pop. 508,090) offers more amenities, schools, and services typical of a larger city, while St. Louis (pop. 301,578) may offer a quieter, more community-oriented lifestyle. Families on a budget may prefer St. Louis, where lower housing costs free up more income for childcare, education, and savings.