Kansas City MO vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Madison
275,568
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 275,568 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 57.8% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 25.8% | 7.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $76,983 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $48,557 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Madison
$429,253
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $429,253 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.7% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 20.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.2% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Madison has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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