Kansas City KS vs Milwaukee 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
10.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
20.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 10.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 20.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
$51,888
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Milwaukee
$29,679
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
23.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Milwaukee
26.6%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $51,888 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $29,679 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $61,837 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 23.3% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 26.6% | Milwaukee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
$226,456
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $226,456 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 41.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Milwaukee
14.1%
Milwaukee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Milwaukee
17.3%
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 41.8% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.1% | Milwaukee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.3% | Milwaukee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, 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
Kansas City +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. 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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