Kansas City MO vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
New York
35.9%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
New York
22.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 57.8% | 35.9% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 22.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
New York
$79,713
New York +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $79,713 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 17.4% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $816,078 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 32.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
New York
11.9%
New York +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
New York
10.6%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
New York
11.4%
New York +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.6% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
New York
55.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 55.4°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 46.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 44.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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