Kansas City KS vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 25.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 10.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Memphis
$32,314
Memphis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $51,211 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $32,314 | Memphis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,097 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 28.2% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 46.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 639 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2350 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Kansas City +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 42.1% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.7% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 19.9% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 54.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.2%.
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