Olathe KS 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)
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Olathe
143,720
San Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Olathe
N/A
San Jose
N/A
Median Age
Olathe
36.6
Olathe +
San Jose
38.1
Foreign Born
Olathe
10.7%
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
White
Olathe
78.6%
Olathe +
San Jose
29.0%
Black
Olathe
4.9%
Olathe +
San Jose
2.9%
Asian
Olathe
4.2%
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Hispanic
Olathe
12.6%
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Spanish at Home
Olathe
N/A
San Jose
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 990,054 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 38.1 | Olathe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 41.6% | San Jose + |
| White | 78.6% | 29.0% | Olathe + |
| Black | 4.9% | 2.9% | Olathe + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 38.6% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Olathe
$112,232
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Per Capita Income
Olathe
$48,655
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Olathe
$61,860
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Unemployment Rate
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
San Jose
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
San Jose
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Olathe
49.4%
Olathe +
San Jose
46.5%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $141,565 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $63,253 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 4.7% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 7.8% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 46.5% | Olathe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Olathe
$437,785
Olathe +
San Jose
$1,452,609
Homeownership Rate
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
San Jose
56.0%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $437,785 | $1,452,609 | Olathe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 56.0% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
449
Olathe +
San Jose
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
San Jose
2388
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
9.5%
Olathe +
San Jose
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
San Jose
14.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
San Jose
9.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Olathe
17.8%
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Olathe
11.3%
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 23.7% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Olathe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 14.9% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.1% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 13.0% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
55.2°F
Olathe +
San Jose
61.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
40.0 in
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.2°F | 61.5°F | Olathe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 14.9 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Olathe
75.0%
San Jose
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Olathe
22.4 min
Olathe +
San Jose
30.4 min
| Metric | Olathe, KS | San Jose, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 30.4 min | Olathe + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, 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%.
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