Kansas City MO vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 91,535 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.9 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 57.8% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 25.8% | 4.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 6.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $865,610 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 28.8% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Santa Ana
2388
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Santa Ana + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.0% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 20.7% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 65.6°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Ana + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 28.0 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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