Kansas City, KS

Kansas · Metropolitan Area

Kansas City is a large city in Kansas with a population of 154,776. Residents earn $59,183 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
154,776 Population 1,241/sq mi density
$59,183 Median Income $28,059 per capita
$147,100 Home Value $193,899 Zillow
$1,073 Median Rent
57°F Avg Temperature 298 sunny days/yr
711 Violent Crime/100K 4,907 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$59,183 median income, 3.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$147,100 home value, $1,073/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
711 violent crimes/100K (87% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,183
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $147,100
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 711/100K
87% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.2%
40% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,073
8% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.6%
0% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.1%
14% higher than US avg

How Kansas City Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population154,776
Median Age34.0 yrs
Density1,241/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 44%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,183
Per Capita$28,059
Unemployment3.6%
Poverty14.1%
County GDP$15,517M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$147,100
Rent$1,073
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$193,899

Crime

F
Violent711/100K
Property4,907/100K
Murder16.8/100K
Assault368/100K
Burglary1,115/100K

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.9%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp57°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain42.0 in/yr
Sunny Days298/yr
Elevation978 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.2%
High School+81.2%
School Score5.80

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 61%
Commute22 min
EV Stations11
Libraries9

Is Kansas City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kansas City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Kansas City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kansas City is $59,183, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.6%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kansas City is $147,100, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,073 per month. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 711 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,907 per 100,000, 150% above the national average.

Education

20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Kansas City enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. With 298 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 42.0 inches, including 15.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Kansas City has a population of 154,776 with a density of 1,241 people per square mile. The median age is 34.0 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (44%), with 3.9% Hispanic, 20.4% Black.

Population

154,776
Total Population
1,241
People / sq mi
34.0yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
124.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Kansas City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only69.4%
12% below US avg
Spanish30.6%
128% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Kansas City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kansas City is $59,183, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Kansas City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,183
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,059
Avg Weekly Wage$1,269
IRS Avg AGI$51,724

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.6%
0% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.1%
14% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,055
County GDP$15,517M

Business (County)

Restaurants295
Healthcare329
Retail441
Manufacturing175

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,809
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.1 min
Work from Home8.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Kansas City is $147,100, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,073 (8% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $193,899.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$147,100
48% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$193,899
Median List Price$237,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$237,000
$/Sq Ft$144
Homes Sold101
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops27.3%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,073
8% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,316

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$702
1 Bedroom$753
2 Bedrooms$947
3 Bedrooms$1,223
4 Bedrooms$1,397

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied60.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,809
37% above US avg
Effective Rate3.27%
In Kansas City, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.9% report depression. 35.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Kansas City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure36.3%
Asthma10.2%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.4%
Physical Inactivity35.3%
Depression17.9%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.9%
Checkup Rate75.2%
Premature Death11,751/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access92.7%
Healthcare Facilities329
Kansas City has a violent crime rate of 711 per 100,000 residents, 87% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,907 per 100,000 (150% above US avg). The murder rate is 16.8 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Kansas City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent710.9/100K
87% above US avg
Murder16.8/100K
166% above US avg
Rape156.3/100K
Robbery170.4/100K
Assault367.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,906.7/100K
150% above US avg
Burglary1,115.3/100K
Theft3,150.2/100K
Vehicle Theft641.2/100K
Arson40.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Kansas City has an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.0 inches. The area enjoys 298 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.4°F
6% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days298 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.0 inches
11% above US avg
Snowfall15.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation978 ft (298 m)
Area124.7 sq mi (323.1 km²)
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Coordinates39.1225°N, 94.7418°W
County FIPS20209
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 20.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (40% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 23.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.3%
D 61.1%

Winner: Democrat by 23.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.2%
40% below US avg
High School+81.2%
School Test Score5.80
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Total Area124.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations11
Alt Fuel Stations20
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities329
Restaurants295
Retail Stores441

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.1 min
Work from Home8.5%

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