Kansas City MO vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Portland
3.2%
Portland +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 68,505 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 11.1% | Portland + |
| White | 57.8% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 25.8% | 9.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.2% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 3.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Portland
4.4%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $561,069 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Portland
17.8%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Portland
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Portland
46.5°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 46.5°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 47.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Portland
75.0%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Portland + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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