Kansas City MO vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 220,482 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 57.8% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 25.8% | 10.5% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.5% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $496,966 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Kansas City +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 3409 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.2 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tacoma + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 31.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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