Kansas City KS vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Visalia
4.4%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 135,983 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 44.0% | 36.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 20.4% | 17.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 4.4% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Kansas City +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Kansas City +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $26,955 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 11.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 12.4% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $397,983 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 58.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 41.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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