Kansas City MO vs San Diego 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 Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 36.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 57.8% | 50.4% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 5.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $1,006,261 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 47.6% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Kansas City +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.9% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 61.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.9 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 Diego. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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