Kansas City MO vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Pasadena
125,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
45.5%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 125,983 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.5 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 57.8% | 45.5% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 18.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Pasadena
2339
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 442 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2339 | Pasadena + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Pasadena
17.8%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Pasadena
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.1% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 14.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.8% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 32.1% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.6% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Pasadena
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 36.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Kansas City. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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