Kansas City KS vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Richmond
34.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 8.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 43.2% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 10.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $62,671 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $374,265 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 43.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.3% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 43.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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