Kansas City MO vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Reno
268,959
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 268,959 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 37.3 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 57.8% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 25.8% | 3.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Reno
35.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 35.7% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $570,934 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 49.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Reno
2417
Reno +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2417 | Reno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Reno
18.5%
Reno +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Reno + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.9% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Reno
75.0%
Reno +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Reno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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