Kansas City MO vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 57.8% | 36.1% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $60,698 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $37,669 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 8.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 22.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 34.6% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 57.1°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 48.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 34.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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