Kansas City MO vs Paterson 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Paterson
N/A
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Paterson
N/A
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 25.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $527,542 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Paterson
37.5%
Paterson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Paterson
18.6%
Paterson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.5% | Paterson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.6% | Paterson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 28.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Paterson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Paterson +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Paterson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Paterson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Paterson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Paterson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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