Kansas City KS vs Tyler TX — 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%
Tyler, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$253,191
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Tyler
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tyler
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Tyler
N/A
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Tyler
N/A
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Tyler
N/A
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Tyler
N/A
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Tyler
N/A
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Tyler
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 44.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Tyler
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Tyler
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Tyler
$63,758
Tyler +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Tyler
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Tyler
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Tyler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Tyler
$253,191
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $253,191 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Tyler
442
Tyler +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Tyler
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Tyler + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Tyler
37.5%
Tyler +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Tyler
13.4%
Tyler +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Tyler
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Tyler
16.9%
Tyler +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Tyler
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Tyler
13.3%
Tyler +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 37.5% | Tyler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.4% | Tyler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.2% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.9% | Tyler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.3% | Tyler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Tyler
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Tyler
46.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 46.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Tyler
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Tyler
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 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
Tyler
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Tyler, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Tyler is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tyler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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