Kansas City MO vs Tampa FL — 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Tampa
393,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 393,389 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 57.8% | 51.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 21.3% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $376,530 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 50.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Tampa
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Tampa
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.9% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 73.4°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 46.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, MO vs New York, NYKansas City, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, MOHouston, TX vs Kansas City, MOKansas City, MO vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, MO vs Philadelphia, PA