Kansas City KS vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 98,677 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 20.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 8.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Roanoke
$34,792
Roanoke +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Roanoke
5.5%
Roanoke +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $52,671 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $34,792 | Roanoke + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.5% | Roanoke + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $279,668 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 51.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Roanoke
16.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 41.9% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.4% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.7% | Roanoke + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 44.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, 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
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Roanoke has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.2%.
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