Kansas City KS vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 44.0% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 20.4% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 8.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $871,599 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 44.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Seattle
52.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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