Kansas City MO vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
508,233
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Santa Rosa
34.5
Santa Rosa +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 129,239 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.5 | Santa Rosa + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 57.8% | 31.9% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 25.8% | 2.1% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $720,443 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 41.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Santa Rosa
2388
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 503 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2388 | Santa Rosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
38.5%
Santa Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 59.2°F | Kansas City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Santa Rosa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.4 min
Kansas City +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.2 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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