Kansas City MO vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 57.8% | 39.1% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.6% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $580,173 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.1% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 24.0% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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