Kansas City MO vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Modesto
218,614
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Modesto
18.7%
Modesto +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Modesto
50.8%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Modesto
4.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Modesto
7.4%
Modesto +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 218,614 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 18.7% | Modesto + |
| White | 57.8% | 50.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 7.4% | Modesto + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Modesto
$77,899
Modesto +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Modesto
$77,230
Modesto +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Modesto
13.0%
Modesto +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $77,899 | Modesto + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $34,656 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Modesto + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 7.3% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 13.0% | Modesto + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 20.3% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Modesto
$447,353
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Modesto
58.4%
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $447,353 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.4% | Modesto + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Modesto
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Modesto
2388
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Modesto + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Modesto
36.2%
Modesto +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Modesto
16.5%
Modesto +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Modesto
13.7%
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.2% | Modesto + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 19.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.0% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.5% | Modesto + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.7% | Modesto + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Modesto
13.1 in
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 63.7°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 13.1 in | Modesto + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Modesto +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Modesto + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Modesto + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Modesto
30.5 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.5 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Modesto leads in median household income at $77,899, 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 Modesto. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Modesto has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Modesto scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
Compare More Cities
Kansas City, MO vs New York, NYKansas City, MO vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Kansas City, MOHouston, TX vs Kansas City, MOKansas City, MO vs Phoenix, AZKansas City, MO vs Philadelphia, PA