CityCompare

Kansas City KS vs Salt Lake City 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%

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Kansas City
154,776
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
15.4%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

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About Kansas City & Salt Lake City

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