Kansas City KS vs St. Louis 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 20.4% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 3.4% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $55,279 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,527 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 19.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 45.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, 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%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, MO | 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
Kansas City +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, 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
Kansas City +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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