Kansas City MO vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 115,415 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 57.8% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 25.8% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.6% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Manchester
33.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $75,331 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.5% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $441,257 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 44.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Manchester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Manchester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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