City profile
Kansas City, MO
A jazz and BBQ capital with affordable living, strong Black neighborhoods, and Midwestern warmth.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
32°F
Summer avg
80°F
Sunny days / yr
215
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$250,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,450
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
90
Taxes
- Property tax
- 1.06%
- State income tax (top)
- 4.7%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 8.39%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively High · county score 97/100
Top hazards: Tornado, Hail, Heat wave
Nearest major airport
16 mi to Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Democratic · 59% Democratic / 39% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
510,612
Growth since 2019
+5.0%
Median age
35.8
Residents 65+
14.3%
Median household income
$69,166
Income growth since 2019
+27.6%
Black household income
$42,470
Home ownership
55.4%
Poverty rate
14.6%
Poverty rate, 65+
13.2%
Race & ethnicity: Black 25.2% · White 54.0% · Hispanic 12.5% · Asian 2.8% · Other 5.5%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
1,376 · 317% above the national average
Property crime
3,991 · 157% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Kansas City Police Department. State average: violent 426, property 1,690.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: tornadoes
Highlights
- Famous jazz heritage
- Legendary BBQ
- Affordable housing
- 18th and Vine Historic District
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- Higher crime in some areas
- Limited public transit
- Tornado risk
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.