Grand Island NE vs Kansas City MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
25.8%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 508,233 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 35.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 8.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 57.8% | - |
| Black | N/A | 25.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.7% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.3% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
37.8%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $67,449 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $40,112 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $58,527 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 14.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 37.8% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
54.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 54.6% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Kansas City
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 501 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 2418 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Grand Island +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 38.5% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.0% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.8% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 15.6% | Grand Island + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Kansas City
54.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | 54.6°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 38.9 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Kansas City
23.4 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 23.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs Philadelphia, PA