Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 154,776 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.0 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 81.8% | 44.0% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 5.3% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $59,183 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $28,059 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 20.2% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 41.2% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 14.6% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 18.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 18.3% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 38.1 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 23.7 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA