Kansas City KS vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 149,519 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 41.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 6.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 19.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,120 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $422,520 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 450 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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