Kansas City KS vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
14.3%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 14.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 20.4% | 7.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
San Antonio
$32,983
San Antonio +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
San Antonio
17.1%
San Antonio +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $32,983 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.1% | San Antonio + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
San Antonio
$251,035
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $251,035 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 52.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
San Antonio
442
San Antonio +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | San Antonio + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 24.5% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.0% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, San Antonio is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, KS vs New York, NYKansas City, KS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, KSHouston, TX vs Kansas City, KSKansas City, KS vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, KS vs Philadelphia, PA