Kansas City MO vs Laredo 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Laredo
255,949
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Laredo
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Laredo
37.6%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Laredo
0.5%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Laredo
0.5%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Laredo
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 255,949 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 29.7 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 25.4% | Laredo + |
| White | 57.8% | 37.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 0.5% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 0.5% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 95.2% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Laredo
$63,264
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Laredo
$24,584
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Laredo
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Laredo
20.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Laredo
21.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $63,264 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $24,584 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 20.8% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 21.5% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Laredo
$221,806
Laredo +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $221,806 | Laredo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 63.3% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Laredo
2339
Laredo +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Laredo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Laredo
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Laredo
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Laredo
17.3%
Laredo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Laredo
35.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Laredo
16.2%
Laredo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 42.2% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.3% | Laredo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 35.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Laredo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Laredo
74.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 74.2°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 20.2 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Laredo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Laredo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Laredo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Laredo
22.7 min
Laredo +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Laredo, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.7 min | Laredo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while laredo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $221,806. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Laredo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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