Kansas City MO vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 57.8% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 25.8% | 23.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Kansas City +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $64,731 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $38,890 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $52,606 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.1% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $264,957 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 43.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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