Kansas City MO vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Newark
307,188
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 307,188 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.8 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 57.8% | 16.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.9% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Newark
$48,416
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Newark
24.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $48,416 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $25,509 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,416 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 10.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 24.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 17.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $482,675 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 24.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 23.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 18.2% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 54.9°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 46.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Newark +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Newark
75.0%
Newark +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Newark + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Newark + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 35.9 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Newark has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, MO vs New York, NYKansas City, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, MOHouston, TX vs Kansas City, MOKansas City, MO vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, MO vs Philadelphia, PA