Kansas City MO vs Long Beach 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Long Beach
458,491
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Long Beach
36.8
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Long Beach
24.7%
Long Beach +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
41.6%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
11.9%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Long Beach
12.8%
Long Beach +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 458,491 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.8 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 24.7% | Long Beach + |
| White | 57.8% | 41.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 11.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 12.8% | Long Beach + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Long Beach
$83,969
Long Beach +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Long Beach
$42,370
Long Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Long Beach
$77,230
Long Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
34.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $83,969 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $42,370 | Long Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Long Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.0% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 34.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $862,599 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 40.9% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Long Beach
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Long Beach
2388
Long Beach +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Long Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Long Beach
27.4%
Long Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Long Beach
11.7%
Long Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Long Beach
17.5%
Long Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.4% | Long Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Long Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | Long Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.9% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 64.7°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Long Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Long Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Long Beach
32.6 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 32.6 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Long Beach leads in median household income at $83,969, 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 Long Beach. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Long Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Long Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.4%.
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