Olathe KS 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)
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Olathe
143,720
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Olathe
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Olathe
36.6
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Olathe
10.7%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Olathe
78.6%
Olathe +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Olathe
4.9%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Olathe
4.2%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Olathe
12.6%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Olathe
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 78.6% | 50.4% | Olathe + |
| Black | 4.9% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Olathe
$112,232
Olathe +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Olathe
$48,655
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Olathe
$61,860
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Olathe
49.4%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $104,321 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 5.9% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 11.1% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Olathe
$437,785
Olathe +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $437,785 | $1,006,261 | Olathe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 47.6% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
449
Olathe +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 503 | Olathe + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2388 | Olathe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
32.8%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
9.5%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
San Diego
8.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Olathe
17.8%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Olathe
11.3%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 16.5% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.5% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
55.2°F
Olathe +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
40.0 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.2°F | 61.6°F | Olathe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Olathe
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Olathe
22.4 min
Olathe +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 25.9 min | Olathe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe leads in median household income at $112,232, while olathe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $437,785. On public safety, Olathe is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, 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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