Kansas City MO vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 186,419 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 57.8% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 25.8% | 7.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $468,328 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Tempe
450
Tempe +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Tempe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 71.3°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tempe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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