Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
Detroit +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
White
Detroit
11.7%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 508,233 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Detroit + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 11.7% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 76.8% | 25.8% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
Kansas City
$253,319
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $253,319 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
Detroit +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 501 | Detroit + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2418 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 16.7% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
Detroit +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
Detroit +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 54.6°F | Detroit + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | 38.9 in | Detroit + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, Detroit is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 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, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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