Kansas City KS vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Tampa
4.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Tampa
26.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 44.0% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 20.4% | 21.3% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 26.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Tampa
4.7%
Tampa +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.7% | Tampa + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $376,530 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 50.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 46.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Tampa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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