Kansas City KS vs Pasadena TX — 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, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
25.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 125,983 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 36.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 44.0% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 20.4% | 18.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 25.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Pasadena
$218,978
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $218,978 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Pasadena
14.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 39.1% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 32.1% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.1% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | 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
Kansas City +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 36.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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