Kansas City MO vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Wichita
35.7
Tie
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 396,488 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.7 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 57.8% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 25.8% | 9.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $63,072 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $35,958 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 30.9% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.3% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 57.0°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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