Kansas City MO vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Wilmington
37.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
8.3%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 71,124 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 8.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 32.4% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 11.8% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $55,269 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $38,786 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 23.2% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 33.1% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $327,117 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 46.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Wilmington
18.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 41.0% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 49.3 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.0 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, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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