Kansas City KS vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.7 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 12.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 29.5% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.2% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Sacramento
51.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $480,548 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 51.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 27.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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