Kansas City MO vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
307,762
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
53.2%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 307,762 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 57.8% | 53.2% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 9.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
53.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $297,021 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 53.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | 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
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Saint Paul + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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