Washington - DC vs Kansas City - MO: 2026 Housing Comparison

What this means for buyers

Washington - DC is roughly 75% more expensive than Kansas City - MO in typical home value. Homes sit on market longer in Washington - DC (19 days vs 11), suggesting more buyer leverage there.

Washington vs Kansas City: what the numbers say

At today's 7.40% average 30-year rate with 20% down, the typical home would cost about $3,156 a month in principal and interest in Washington and $1,800 in Kansas City, a gap of $1,357 a month.

Typical rent runs $2,407 in Washington and $1,534 in Kansas City, so the mortgage payment alone is 1.3 times rent in Washington and 1.2 times rent in Kansas City, before taxes and insurance.

Home prices are 19.7 years of rent in Washington and 17.6 in Kansas City; the lower ratio in Kansas City means buying there is cheaper relative to renting.

Over the last 23 months typical values moved +0.7% in Washington and +6.0% in Kansas City; over just the last three months the change was +0.3% in Washington and +1.1% in Kansas City.

Homes sell for 99.7% of list price in Washington and 100.1% in Kansas City, after 19 and 11 days on the market, with price cuts on 29% and 32% of listings. The signs are mixed: Washington has longer time on the market and sales further below list, while Kansas City has more price cuts.

The number of homes for sale is up 12% on a year ago in Washington and up 1% on a year ago in Kansas City.

Payments assume a 30-year fixed loan at the Freddie Mac weekly average rate (2026-10-15), 20% down, principal and interest only. Home values, rents and market figures are Zillow Research metro data.