Glendale 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)

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, 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
Glendale
192,270
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
Kansas City
8.5%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
Kansas City
57.8%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
Kansas City
2.7%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Kansas City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
Kansas City
$67,449
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
Kansas City
$40,112
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
Kansas City
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
Kansas City
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
37.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
Glendale +
Kansas City
2418

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
38.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
Kansas City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
Kansas City
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
Kansas City
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
Kansas City
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
Kansas City
15.6%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
Glendale +
Kansas City
38.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Kansas City
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
Kansas City
23.4 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 $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Glendale. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Kansas City