Kansas City KS vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 9.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 20.4% | 22.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $240,538 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 47.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 39.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).
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