Kansas City, Missouri
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Kansas City.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Kansas City?
Kansas City, MO has a MapsToIt housing cost index of 81 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog; 100 = U.S. avg). Median home value is about $227,000 and median rent about $1,186, against national ACS medians of $303,400 and $1,348. Median household income is roughly $67,449. Typical commute is 23 minutes; summer highs average 88°F. Violent-offense rates run about 1431.4 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 81U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $227,000U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $1,186U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $67,449U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 3.8%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 23 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1431.4per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 88°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Kansas City compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 516,032City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $67,449Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year14% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 81ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year19% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $227,000City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year25% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $1,186City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year12% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 3.8%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 23 min8% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1431.4annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)144% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 3855.9annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)25% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 88°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (87°F)U.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 25°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 38.1 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals15% above U.S. avgU.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 279As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Kansas City grew 12.0% from 460,697 in 2010 to 516,032 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Kansas City expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Kansas City runs 19 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 81 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $227,000 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $1,186 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Kansas City?
Budget first around $1,186/month rent or $227,000 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $227,000
- Median rent $1,186/month
- Median household income $67,449
What is the job market like in Kansas City?
Labor-market context for Kansas City: unemployment 3.8% and median income $67,449. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 3.8% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $67,449
How long is the typical commute in Kansas City?
Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way in Kansas City. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 23 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Kansas City safer than similar U.S. cities?
Kansas City's FBI-derived violent rate (~1431.4/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1431.4 per 100k
- Property 3855.9 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Kansas City?
Kansas City's climate profile: 88°F summer peaks, 25°F winter mornings, 38.1" annual rainfall, and 279 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 88°F
- Winter low 25°F
- 38.1 in rain · 279 sunny days
About 516,032 people live in Kansas City, MO. Median household income is roughly $67,449, while the ACS housing-cost index sits near 81 — among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs (100 ≈ U.S. average). Entry home prices around $227,000 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Kansas City sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Kansas City with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Continental seasons and a central U.S. logistics position shape daily life. Roughly 279 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Plan on roughly 23 minutes each way for a typical commute; Walk Score is about 35. Unemployment recently ran near 3.8%, broadly in line with many large U.S. counties. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1431.4 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Kansas City city, 1600000US2938000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Jackson County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00013988 KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10