Kansas City MO vs Lancaster 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Lancaster
170,013
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
35.5%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
21.4%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 170,013 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 13.9% | Lancaster + |
| White | 57.8% | 35.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 21.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.0% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $76,083 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $29,766 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 20.1% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Lancaster
$466,147
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $466,147 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.4% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Lancaster
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Lancaster
2388
Lancaster +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Lancaster + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 30.6% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.3% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.0% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Lancaster
7.4 in
Lancaster +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 62.1°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 7.4 in | Lancaster + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Lancaster +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Lancaster + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $253,319. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Lancaster. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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