Kansas City MO vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 209,720 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 41.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $46,628 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $30,451 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 26.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.9% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 37.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Rochester
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.9% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.6% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Rochester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Rochester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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