Kansas City KS vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Paterson
N/A
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 44.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $527,542 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Paterson
16.4%
Paterson +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 28.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.4% | Paterson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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