Kansas City KS vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 6.1% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 20.4% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Spokane
58.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $400,636 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 58.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.5% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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