Dallas TX 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 508,233 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.7 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 8.5% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 23.7% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.7% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 12.3% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Dallas +
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $67,449 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $40,112 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Dallas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Dallas +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Dallas +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Dallas +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 38.5% | Dallas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 18.8% | Dallas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.6% | Dallas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Dallas +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Dallas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dallas leads in median household income at $67,760, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Dallas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dallas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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