El Paso TX vs Kansas City KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 154,776 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 18.6% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 3.6% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 35.0% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
El Paso +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
El Paso +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $28,059 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 20.2% | El Paso + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 41.2% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.6% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 18.3% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 38.1 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, El Paso is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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