Kansas City MO vs St. Louis MO — 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%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
St. Louis
293,109
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 293,109 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 45.7% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
St. Louis
$55,279
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
St. Louis
$38,947
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
St. Louis
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $55,279 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $38,947 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 45.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
St. Louis
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
St. Louis
2418
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
St. Louis
18.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.8% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | 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
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 24.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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