Cleveland OH vs Kansas City MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 36.7% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 46.8% | 25.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 12.3% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $253,319 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 54.6°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 38.9 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Cleveland, OH vs New York, NYCleveland, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cleveland, OHCleveland, OH vs Houston, TXCleveland, OH vs Phoenix, AZCleveland, OH vs Philadelphia, PA