Kirkwood, MO vs Union, MO

The cost of living difference between Kirkwood, MO and Union, MO is dramatic. Union is 42.2% cheaper than Kirkwood, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Kirkwood has a cost index of 107 while Union sits at 75, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Kirkwood is $1,293/month compared to $847/month in Union — a 53% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Union is more affordable at $199,100 median vs $421,500.

Median household income in Kirkwood is $117,439 compared to $71,760 in Union (+63.7%). While Kirkwood is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Kirkwood spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 14.2% in Union.