Kansas City MO vs Riverside 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%
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Riverside
316,241
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Riverside
39.2%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Riverside
6.0%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Riverside
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 316,241 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.1 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 22.4% | Riverside + |
| White | 57.8% | 39.2% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 8.3% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 54.6% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Riverside
$33,716
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Riverside
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Riverside
25.7%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $88,575 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $33,716 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 12.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 25.7% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Riverside
$648,603
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Riverside
56.3%
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $648,603 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 56.3% | Riverside + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Riverside
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Riverside
2388
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Riverside + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Riverside
18.5%
Riverside +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Riverside
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 36.7% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.2% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.5% | Riverside + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.6% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.5% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Riverside
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 66.8°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 10.3 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Riverside
34.1 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Riverside, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 34.1 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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