Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Nashville
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Nashville
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Nashville
N/A
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Nashville
N/A
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Nashville
N/A
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Nashville
N/A
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Nashville
N/A
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Nashville
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | N/A | - |
| White | 57.8% | N/A | - |
| Black | 25.8% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Nashville
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Nashville
$59,097
Nashville +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Nashville
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Nashville
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,097 | Nashville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Nashville
$436,355
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $436,355 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Nashville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Nashville
2350
Nashville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 639 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2350 | Nashville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Nashville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Nashville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Nashville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Nashville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Nashville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Nashville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Nashville
47.9 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 47.9 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Nashville
8.9 µg/m³
Nashville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Nashville
75.0%
Nashville +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Nashville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Nashville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Nashville
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Nashville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Nashville. Nashville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, MO vs New York, NYKansas City, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, MOHouston, TX vs Kansas City, MOKansas City, MO vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, MO vs Philadelphia, PA