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
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 508,233 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 35.7 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 72.3% | 57.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 5.8% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 12.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | 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%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,198 | $67,449 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,893 | $40,112 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $58,527 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 14.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 37.8% | Colorado Springs + |
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%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $451,202 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.3% | 54.6% | Colorado Springs + |
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 +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 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%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 38.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 12.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 18.8% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.6% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.6% | Colorado Springs + |
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
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 54.6°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.5 in | 38.9 in | Colorado Springs + |
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%
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Colorado Springs, CO | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 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%.
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