Colorado Springs 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)

Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado · Population: 483,099

  • Median HH Income$83,198
  • Median Home Price$451,202
  • Unemployment5.5%
  • Bachelor's+41.9%

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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Kansas City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
20.2%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
60.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
18.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
38.1 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +

Which City is Right for You?

Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, 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 Colorado Springs. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.

Compare More Cities

About Colorado Springs & Kansas City