Kansas City KS vs Las Vegas NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Las Vegas
49.2%
Las Vegas +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
34.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 44.0% | 49.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Black | 20.4% | 11.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 34.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Las Vegas
$70,723
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Las Vegas
$38,421
Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Las Vegas
14.2%
Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Las Vegas
27.3%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $70,723 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $38,421 | Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.2% | Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 27.3% | Las Vegas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
$426,069
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
55.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $426,069 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 55.7% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 460 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2417 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Las Vegas
32.4%
Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Las Vegas
12.5%
Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Las Vegas
17.0%
Las Vegas +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Las Vegas
15.6%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 32.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.5% | Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.5% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 17.0% | Las Vegas + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.6% | Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Vegas leads in median household income at $70,723, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.4%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, KS vs New York, NYKansas City, KS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, KSHouston, TX vs Kansas City, KSKansas City, KS vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, KS vs Philadelphia, PA