Kansas City MO vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 57.8% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 25.8% | 5.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $538,687 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 52.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3001 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 78.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Portland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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