CityCompare

Kansas City MO vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%

Salt Lake City, UT

Utah · Population: 203,888

  • Median HH Income$74,925
  • Median Home Price$580,126
  • Unemployment3.8%
  • Bachelor's+50.9%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
46.8%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Salt Lake City +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +

Which City is Right for You?

Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.

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About Kansas City & Salt Lake City

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