Kansas City KS vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
12.0%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 13.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.5% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 21.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $57,929 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
59.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $207,961 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 59.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2375 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Oklahoma City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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