Kansas City MO vs San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.1 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 57.8% | 29.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 2.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.8% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 46.5% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
San Jose
56.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $1,452,609 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 56.0% | San Jose + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
San Jose
2388
San Jose +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | San Jose + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
San Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.1% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.9% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.1% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 61.5°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
San Jose
75.0%
San Jose +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Jose + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 30.4 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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