Kansas City MO vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
426,845
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 426,845 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 57.8% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 25.8% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.5% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $334,719 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 48.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.9% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Minneapolis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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