Houston 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)
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, 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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Houston
35.5%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 508,233 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 8.5% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 22.9% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.7% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.3% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $40,112 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $58,527 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Houston +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 501 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2418 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Kansas City
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 38.5% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 18.8% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 15.6% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 38.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Houston +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Kansas City
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Houston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Houston 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 Houston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
Houston, TX vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs San Antonio, TX