Kansas City KS vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 37.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 13.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 20.4% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 17.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $510,577 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 49.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.1% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 41.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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