Kansas City KS vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 91,535 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 42.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 44.0% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 20.4% | 4.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 16.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 6.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $865,610 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 28.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.7% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 20.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 28.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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