Kansas City MO vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
53.7%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 57.8% | 53.7% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 32.3% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $411,323 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.3% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 72.1°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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