Kansas City KS vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 115,415 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 14.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 20.4% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 13.5% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $441,257 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 49.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 44.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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