Kansas City KS vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Tempe
13.9%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 13.9% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 20.4% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 23.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,120 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $468,328 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 41.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 450 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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