Kansas City KS vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 316,241 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 44.0% | 39.2% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Riverside
$33,716
Riverside +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Riverside
25.7%
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $33,716 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 25.7% | Riverside + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Riverside
56.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $648,603 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 56.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Riverside
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, 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%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Riverside
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Riverside
13.6%
Riverside +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.5% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.6% | Riverside + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 34.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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