Kansas City MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Plano
287,339
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Plano
53.2%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 287,339 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 39.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 57.8% | 53.2% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 9.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $507,575 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Plano
442
Plano +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Plano
2339
Plano +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Plano + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Plano
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Plano +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Plano
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Plano + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Plano has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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