Kansas City KS vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Portland
11.1%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 68,505 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 11.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 20.4% | 9.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.2% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Portland
$61,587
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $61,587 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $561,069 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 46.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 47.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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