Kansas City KS vs Springfield MA — 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%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 154,751 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 10.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 40.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Kansas City +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $51,339 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $27,054 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 25.3% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Springfield
$298,985
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $298,985 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 49.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Springfield
17.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 39.6% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.8% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 21.1% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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