Kansas City KS vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.1% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 15.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $233,814 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 52.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 48.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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 San Antonio, TX