Colorado Springs CO 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)

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, 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
Colorado Springs
483,099
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Colorado Springs
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Colorado Springs
N/A
Kansas City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
37.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
54.6%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
512
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
3234
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
15.6%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
38.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Colorado Springs +
Kansas City
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Kansas City
23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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