Kansas City MO vs Lafayette LA — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Lafayette
28.6%
Lafayette +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 121,537 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 25.8% | 28.6% | Lafayette + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 7.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Lafayette
$61,454
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Lafayette
$39,861
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
19.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $61,454 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $39,861 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $55,297 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.1% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 643 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2824 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Lafayette
16.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 67.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 61.0 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Lafayette +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Lafayette + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lafayette + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Lafayette has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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