Kansas City MO vs Salinas 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%
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Salinas
161,993
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Salinas
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Salinas
21.8%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Salinas
1.4%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Salinas
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 161,993 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 32.1 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 36.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 57.8% | 21.8% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 1.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 5.7% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 80.3% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Salinas
$28,813
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Salinas
4.7%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Salinas
15.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $89,150 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $28,813 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 14.2% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 15.5% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Salinas
$751,711
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Salinas
47.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $751,711 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Salinas
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Salinas
2388
Salinas +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Salinas + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Salinas
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Salinas
18.2%
Salinas +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Salinas
22.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
Salinas
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 32.8% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.4% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.2% | Salinas + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 22.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 12.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Salinas
57.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 57.3°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 15.5 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Salinas
75.0%
Salinas +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Salinas + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Salinas
28.8 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Salinas, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.8 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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