Casper WY 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)
Casper, WY
Wyoming · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$308,116
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
34.0
Foreign Born
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 154,776 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.0 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 18.6% | - |
| White | N/A | 44.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 20.4% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 35.0% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Casper
$77,800
Casper +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $59,183 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $28,059 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $61,860 | Casper + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.5% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 17.9% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 20.2% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Casper
$308,116
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
60.4%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $308,116 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 60.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
222
Casper +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Casper
1522
Casper +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 449 | Casper + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2174 | Casper + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
36.6%
Casper +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.0%
Casper +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Casper
16.9%
Casper +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Casper
11.8%
Casper +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Casper
16.3%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Casper
15.2%
Casper +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.6% | 41.2% | Casper + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 14.6% | Casper + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.6% | Casper + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 18.4% | Casper + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.3% | Casper + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
47.3°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Casper
12.5 in
Casper +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.5 in | 38.1 in | Casper + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Casper
3.9 µg/m³
Casper +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Casper
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Casper + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Casper
N/A
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Casper, WY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Casper is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Casper has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Casper scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.6%.
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