Kansas City KS vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 100,713 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 44.0% | 24.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Norwalk
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Norwalk
21.3%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 5.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 21.3% | Norwalk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $765,319 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, 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%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Norwalk
15.4%
Norwalk +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Norwalk
15.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.4% | Norwalk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 32.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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