Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 154,776 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 41.5% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 34.1% | 20.4% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 5.3% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $59,183 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $28,059 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.5% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 17.9% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 20.2% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.2% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.6% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.4% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.3% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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