Kansas City MO vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 149,519 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.6 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 6.8% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 2.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $39,604 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 31.0% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $422,520 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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