Kansas City MO vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 25.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $51,211 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $32,314 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 22.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 28.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Memphis
2350
Memphis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Memphis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 42.1% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.7% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.9% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.9% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Memphis
60.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 60.9°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 54.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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