Kansas City KS vs Modesto CA — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Modesto
35.4
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.4 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 44.0% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Modesto
$34,656
Modesto +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Modesto
20.3%
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $34,656 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 20.3% | Modesto + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $447,353 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 58.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Modesto
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2388 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Modesto
12.1%
Modesto +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.1% | Modesto + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.5% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 30.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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