Kansas City KS vs Nashville TN — 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%
Nashville, TN
Tennessee · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$436,355
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Nashville
N/A
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | N/A | - |
| White | 44.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 20.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Kansas City +
Nashville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,097 | Kansas City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $436,355 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Nashville
2350
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 639 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2350 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 47.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 639 in Nashville. Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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