Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carlsbad, CA
VS
Olathe, KS
🏆 Olathe leads 14 of 23 categories
Carlsbad
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$134,139 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
52
Population
114,745
Olathe
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$108,077
Violent Crime Index
52 ✓ Safer
Population
142,114 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carlsbad, CA
Pros
Households earn $26,062 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (199.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 39°F
More college-educated — 59.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 74°F vs 88°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,070,500
Higher rents — median is $2,477/mo
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Olathe
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Olathe, KS
Pros
Homes cost $753k less ($317,900 vs $1,070,500)
Rent averages $1248/mo less ($1,229 vs $2,477)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (3.2%)
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Carlsbad
Violent crime is well below the national average (196.0 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Carlsbad by $26,062/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Carlsbad
Median Income
$26,062
$134,139 vs $108,077/yr
Olathe
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 93.3 vs 111.5 (100 = US avg)
Olathe
Median Home Value
$753k less
$317,900 vs $1,070,500
Olathe
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
3.2% vs 6.0% unemployment
Olathe
Summer Heat
14.0°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 74.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carlsbad, CA | Olathe, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.5⚠ High | 93.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,070,500⚠ High | $317,900⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,477⚠ High | $1,229 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $134,139 ✓ Higher | $108,077 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 3.2% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High | 21.5 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 24.8% ✓ Higher | 16.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 60 | 49 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 | 52 |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 | 45 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A (125) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.7:1 | 4.7:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 59.5% ✓ Higher | 50.9% |
| High School or Higher | 95.1% ✓ Higher | 94.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Carlsbad Unified | School for Deaf |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.0°F ✓ Warmer | 38.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.2°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 40.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 13.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,745 | 142,114 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 42.4 ✓ Older | 36.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.2% | 73.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% | 26.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.8% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carlsbad's cost of living index is 111.5 vs Olathe's 93.3 (US average = 100).
Olathe is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Olathe leads 14 of 23 categories. Carlsbad wins 9 and Olathe wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Carlsbad to Olathe or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,070,500 vs $317,900 median home), income ($134,139 vs $108,077), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carlsbad, CA and Olathe, KS are about 1,313 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.