Kansas City MO vs Roanoke 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 98,677 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 7.5% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 57.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 8.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $52,671 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $34,792 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 28.9% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Roanoke
$279,668
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $279,668 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Roanoke
18.4%
Roanoke +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.9% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Roanoke + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.0% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 56.0°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 44.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Roanoke + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
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, Roanoke 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 Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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