Kansas City KS vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Salem
12.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Salem
23.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 12.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 20.4% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.5% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 23.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Salem
55.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $438,754 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 55.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3001 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Kansas City +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Salem
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 41.4% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 39.7 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.0 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Kansas City 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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