Kansas City KS vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Plano
16.2%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 39.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 44.0% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 20.4% | 9.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 16.2% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Plano
56.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $507,575 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 56.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Plano
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Plano
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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