Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 508,233 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 8.5% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 29.0% | 25.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 2.7% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 37.8% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $253,319 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2418 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 38.5% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.0% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.6% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 15.6% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.4 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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