Kansas City MO vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Providence
190,214
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 190,214 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 57.8% | 40.7% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 13.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $66,772 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $36,694 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 20.1% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 34.7% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $429,449 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Providence
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Providence
75.0%
Providence +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Providence + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 27.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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