City comparison
No. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 343 in Kansas City, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 423, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Kansas City is cheaper. Median rent is $1,238 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Safety is where Kansas City and Raleigh split most clearly. Raleigh scores 201 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,238 in Kansas City and $1,572 in Raleigh.
Raleigh is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Kansas City makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Raleigh is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Kansas City at $1,238 average has pockets that run $1,038 and others at $1,638: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Kansas City and Raleigh are 903 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,238 a month in Kansas City to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $334 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $69,166 in Kansas City to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $16,229 (23%).
The crime index goes from 343 in Kansas City to 142 in Raleigh, down 201 points (59%).
The move
Raleigh and Kansas City are 903 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $1,238 a month in Kansas City, down $334 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $69,166 in Kansas City, down $16,229 (19%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 343 in Kansas City, up 201 points (142%).
Kansas City, MO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Raleigh, NC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Kansas City and Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Kansas City rent is 21% cheaper than Raleigh
Kansas City
Winner$1,238/mo
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Typical rent runs $1,238 a month in Kansas City versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Kansas City is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $334/month back in your pocket ($4,008/year). Over five years that's $20,040 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Raleigh, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Kansas City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Raleigh? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
23% higher
Raleigh's median income is 23% higher than Kansas City
Kansas City
$69,166
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $69,166 in Kansas City, so typical pay runs 23% higher in Raleigh (about $16,229 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Raleigh is the stronger labor market on paper. Kansas City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
59% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 59% lower than Kansas City
Kansas City
343 (100 = avg)
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 343 in Kansas City (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 59% lower in Raleigh. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Raleigh is the easier city. Kansas City can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
8% more comfortable
Raleigh weather is 8% more comfortable than Kansas City
Kansas City
58°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 80/100
Raleigh
Winner60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Kansas City averages about 58°F (66°F highs); Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs). Kansas City averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Raleigh averages around 60°F. Raleigh scores 8% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Kansas City if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Kansas City
Kansas City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 21% cheaper here at about $1,238 a month. Choose Kansas City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 23% higher ($85,395), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 60°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 59% lower than Kansas City (142 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Safety is the widest gap: Raleigh scores 49/100 versus 23/100 in Kansas City. Rent is $1,572/month in Raleigh and $1,238/month in Kansas City, so you are not buying calm streets for free.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $69,166), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $69,166 in Kansas City.
Raleigh is ahead on safety (49/100 vs 23/100); Kansas City is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,238/month rent plus $69,166 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Kansas City and Raleigh, plus other cities in MO and NC.
