Is Kansas City, MO or Columbus, OH cheaper on a $120,000 salary?

Columbus, OH leaves you more: $1,245/yr. On $120,000, Kansas City, MO leaves $68,298/yr in pocket (state tax $5,640, housing $16,482) vs Columbus, OH's $69,543 (state tax $4,200, housing $16,677).

The gap is driven mostly by state income tax (Missouri: 4.70% vs Ohio: 3.50%) and housing.

WhereCanIAfford › Take-home › Kansas City, MO vs Columbus, OH

Kansas City, MO vs Columbus, OH: cost of living on $120,000

Columbus, OH +$1,245/yr On $120,000, Kansas City, MO leaves $68,298/yr in pocket vs Columbus, OH's $69,543 — after state income tax and housing.

Where the money goes

On $120,000	Kansas City, MO	Columbus, OH
Federal + FICA (est.)	$29,580	$29,580
State income tax	$5,640 (4.70%)	$4,200 (3.50%)
After-tax income	$84,780	$86,220
− Housing/yr (Zillow)	$16,482	$16,677
Real money in pocket	$68,298	$69,543

Verified 2026-06-23 · State tax: Tax Foundation, “State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2025” + state revenue departments. Modeled as an effective planning rate for a typical $80k–$160k filer — not a full bracket engine. · Housing from Zillow ZHVI 2026-05.

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FAQ

Is Kansas City, MO or Columbus, OH cheaper?: On $120,000, Columbus, OH — by $1,245/yr in real take-home.
What's the biggest driver?: State income tax (Missouri 4.70% vs Ohio 3.50%) and housing cost.

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