Kansas City KS vs Sunnyvale 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
153,455
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
35.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 153,455 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 35.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 44.0% | 30.4% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 1.5% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 16.7% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $2,144,024 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 43.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, 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%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 25.3 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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