Kansas City MO vs San Bernardino 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%
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
221,774
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
27.6%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
11.8%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 221,774 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 31.9 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 22.9% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 57.8% | 27.6% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 11.8% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 69.6% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
$63,988
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
$23,980
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
12.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $63,988 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $23,980 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 19.5% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 12.8% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
$492,059
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
48.5%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $492,059 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 48.5% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
San Bernardino
2388
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | San Bernardino + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
20.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 37.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.6% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 20.0% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.2% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.2% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.1% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
San Bernardino
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
San Bernardino
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | 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
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
San Bernardino
30.7 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Bernardino, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 San Bernardino. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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