Kansas City MO vs Los Angeles 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%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 57.8% | 37.3% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 8.5% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $956,465 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 36.3% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Los Angeles
2388
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Los Angeles + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.2% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 62.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 33.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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