Kansas City KS vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 3.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 5.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $45,984 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.4% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $245,279 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 42.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2418 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Springfield
17.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 45.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 19.5 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, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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