Kansas City KS vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 67,231 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 44.0% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 20.4% | 2.2% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 7.1% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Pasadena
$77,230
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
54.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $1,215,642 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 54.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 24.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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