Fresno CA vs Kansas City MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
Kansas City
508,233
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
Kansas City
35.7
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Fresno
38.0%
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 508,233 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 35.7 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 8.5% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 57.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 6.7% | 25.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 2.7% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 12.3% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $67,449 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $40,112 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,527 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 37.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $253,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 54.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
Fresno +
Kansas City
2418
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 501 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2418 | Fresno + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
37.5%
Fresno +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
Kansas City
15.6%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 38.5% | Fresno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 16.7% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 15.6% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
Fresno +
Kansas City
38.9 in
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 54.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 38.9 in | Fresno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
Fresno +
Kansas City
55.0%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fresno + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Kansas City, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 23.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, while 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 503 in Fresno. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fresno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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