Kansas City KS vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Madison
11.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 11.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 20.4% | 7.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 9.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Madison
16.2%
Madison +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $61,837 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.2% | Madison + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $429,253 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 46.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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