Atlanta GA vs Kansas City KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Kansas City
34.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 154,776 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 39.9% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 46.9% | 20.4% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $59,183 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $28,059 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.9% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 20.2% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 41.2% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.6% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 18.4% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 18.3% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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