Kansas City MO vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 303,620 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 9.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 57.8% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 25.8% | 22.5% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $64,137 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,080 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
47.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 51.8°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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).
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