Kansas City MO vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 57.8% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 25.8% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $54,546 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $31,152 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 30.2% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $324,946 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 51.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 69.8°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tucson +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tucson + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 23.9 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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