Kansas City MO vs Sparks 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Sparks
N/A
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | 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
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | 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 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| 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 +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $530,668 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Sparks
2417
Sparks +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2417 | Sparks + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.8% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 18.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Sparks, NV | 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, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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