Glendale CA vs Kansas City KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 154,776 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 18.6% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 44.0% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 5.3% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $59,183 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $28,059 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 17.9% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 20.2% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 41.2% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.6% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.6% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 18.4% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 18.3% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | 38.1 in | Glendale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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