Kansas City KS vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.8 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 20.4% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,120 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $411,323 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 57.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 450 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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 Philadelphia, PAKansas City, KS vs San Antonio, TX