Kansas City MO vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Salem
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 176,666 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 57.8% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 25.8% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Salem
$36,477
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Salem
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Salem
31.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $36,477 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 14.7% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 31.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $438,754 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3001 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Salem
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.4% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 53.0°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.7 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Salem
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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