Performance
Score Breakdown
Kansas City
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kansas City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
52% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kansas City's average rent is
64% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Kansas City | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,231 | $3,382 | -64% |
| Groceries | $450 | $520 | -13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $370 | -51% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,231 | $4,652 | -52% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 23% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kansas City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kansas City is estimated at
$50,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Kansas City | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 87,640 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $56,120 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kansas City | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 68.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Kansas City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
10,500 minutes (175 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kansas City | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 25.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 32.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Kansas City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kansas City | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 155,438 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | % |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kansas City
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing, groceries, and healthcare generally below national averages.
Strong job market with diverse opportunities in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
Home to nationally recognized healthcare facilities, including The University of Kansas Hospital, consistently ranked as a top hospital.
Vibrant cultural scene, known for its rich jazz heritage and world-famous barbecue.
Relatively quick commute times compared to other major urban areas.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options, leading to high car dependency.
Unpredictable weather with cold winters, hot and humid summers, and a risk of tornadoes.
Lower walkability score compared to more pedestrian-friendly cities.
Certain areas experience higher violent crime rates, which can be a concern for residents.
The city is landlocked, lacking easy access to beaches or mountains.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Kansas City
#21Kansas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,231
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
25.0/10
Walkability
32.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
68
Business
75
New York City
#64New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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