Kansas City KS vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Provo
12.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 114,303 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 12.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 20.4% | 1.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.2% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 18.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $26,755 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $60,713 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 22.3% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $486,127 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 39.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.5% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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