Kansas City MO vs Ontario 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%
Ontario, CA
California · Population: 138,723
- Median HH Income$116,945
- Median Home Price$671,948
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Ontario
138,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Ontario
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Ontario
36.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Ontario
21.0%
Ontario +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Ontario
53.6%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Ontario
1.6%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Ontario
13.1%
Ontario +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Ontario
40.0%
Ontario +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Ontario
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 138,723 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 21.0% | Ontario + |
| White | 57.8% | 53.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 1.6% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 13.1% | Ontario + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 40.0% | Ontario + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Ontario
$116,945
Ontario +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Ontario
$50,759
Ontario +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Ontario
$77,230
Ontario +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Ontario
4.7%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Ontario
9.2%
Ontario +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Ontario
40.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $116,945 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $50,759 | Ontario + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Ontario + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 9.2% | Ontario + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 40.1% | Ontario + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Ontario
$671,948
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Ontario
58.1%
Ontario +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $671,948 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 58.1% | Ontario + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Ontario
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Ontario
2388
Ontario +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Ontario + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Ontario
33.6%
Ontario +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Ontario
12.0%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Ontario
17.8%
Ontario +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Ontario
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Ontario
15.7%
Ontario +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Ontario
12.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 33.6% | Ontario + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Ontario + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 17.0% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Ontario + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.0% | Ontario + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Ontario
65.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Ontario
15.0 in
Ontario +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 65.5°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 15.0 in | Ontario + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Ontario
7.9 µg/m³
Ontario +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Ontario
75.0%
Ontario +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Ontario + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Ontario + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Ontario
28.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Ontario, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Ontario leads in median household income at $116,945, 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 Ontario. Ontario has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Ontario has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ontario scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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