Kansas City KS vs Palmdale 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
17.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
4.5%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
24.3%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 44,998 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 57.8 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 17.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 20.4% | 5.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.5% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 24.3% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 8.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $503,393 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, 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%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Palmdale
15.7%
Palmdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Palmdale
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.7% | Palmdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Palmdale
7.4 in
Palmdale +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 7.4 in | Palmdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Palmdale
24.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, 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 Palmdale. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, KS vs New York, NYKansas City, KS vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, KSHouston, TX vs Kansas City, KSKansas City, KS vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, KS vs Philadelphia, PA