Kansas City KS vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Mesa
37.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 11.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.5% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 26.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $78,779 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $39,586 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,120 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 10.5% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.5% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Mesa
$435,670
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $435,670 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Mesa
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 450 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Mesa
13.0%
Mesa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 30.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Mesa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.1% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.4% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Mesa
26.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, KS vs New York, NYKansas City, KS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, KSHouston, TX vs Kansas City, KSKansas City, KS vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, KS vs Philadelphia, PA