Kansas City MO vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 146,211 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 57.8% | 51.9% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 10.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $45,845 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $27,570 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 29.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 30.5% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 434 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.1% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 49.0°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 41.5 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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