Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Houston
35.5%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 154,776 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 18.6% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 22.9% | 20.4% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 5.3% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 35.0% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $59,183 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $28,059 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 20.2% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Houston +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 41.2% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.6% | Houston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.6% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 18.3% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Houston 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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