Chicago IL 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)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 154,776 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 18.6% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 28.4% | 20.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 5.3% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $59,183 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $28,059 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 17.9% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 20.2% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Chicago +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 41.2% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.6% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.4% | Chicago + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 18.3% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 38.1 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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