Kansas City MO vs Richmond VA — 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%
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Richmond
227,595
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Richmond
43.2%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 227,595 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.6% | Richmond + |
| White | 57.8% | 43.2% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $62,671 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $44,249 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Richmond
$374,265
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $374,265 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 43.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Richmond
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Richmond
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Richmond
16.2%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Richmond
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 58.9°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 43.6 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Richmond +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Richmond +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Richmond + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Richmond + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Richmond
23.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.6 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, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Richmond has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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