Kansas City, KS, known as "The Heart of America," is a vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage and a high quality of life. Located in northeastern Kansas, Kansas City is approximately 5 miles west of Kansas City, MO, and 50 miles east of Topeka. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its beautiful parks, historic sites, and thriving arts scene.
Kansas City's climate features hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Wyandotte County Lake Park and the expansive Kaw Point Park, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Kansas City is dynamic, with attractions like the Strawberry Hill Museum, the Wyandotte County Historical Museum, and the historic Sauer Castle. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Kansas City Renaissance Festival and the Wyandotte County Fair, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Kansas City, with the Kansas City Kansas Public Schools providing education to its students. The city is also home to higher education institutions such as the University of Kansas Medical Center and Kansas City Kansas Community College. This focus on education makes Kansas City an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the University of Kansas Hospital, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Kansas City combines the benefits of urban amenities with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and proximity to major highways, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its cultural richness, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Kansas City offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Amenities
Within the vicinity, you'll find a wealth of amenities, from restaurants and coffee shops to grocery stores and local shops, all easily accessible on foot.
Commute
High scores in the commute category could indicate that this area offers short commute times to work and readily available public transportation options.
Cost Of Living
Residents in this area benefit from an affordable cost of living. This includes goods and services, transportation, housing, utilities, groceries and healthcare.
Housing
The housing category in this area boasts higher than average scores, likely influenced by a positive home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Earning a high health and safety score depends on factors such as good air quality and the availability of essential health facilities like hospitals, clinics, doctors, and fire stations.
Crime
High crime rates per 100,000 people are reported in this area, potentially indicating that it is an unsafe place to live. These statistics consider both violent and property offenses.
Employment
The combination of low income levels and high unemployment rates contributes to a low score in the employment category, which could make it challenging to secure well-paying jobs.
Schools
Factors such as lower than average graduation rates, lackluster reading and math scores and the limited accessibility of local elementary and high schools could contribute to the low schools score.
Ratings
Polls and surveys done by AreaVibes among area residents did not yield positive feedback when it came to the walkability of amenities, safety, nearby parks and the overall sense of community.
Kansas City, Kansas is a mid-sized city with a population of 156,337 residents. More than a quarter of the residents of Kansas City identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 23% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 47% of the Kansas City population is married.
Living in Kansas City can be a great experience for anyone moving to the area. Having said that, in the state of Kansas, there are many incredible places to live, so choose wisely! When searching for a new neighborhood, several factors play a vital role in determining its suitability. Safety should be a top priority, ensuring a secure environment with low crime rates. Proximity to your workplace or school helps minimize commuting time and allows for a better work-life balance. Availability of essential amenities such as parks, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities contributes to convenience and well-being. Access to reliable public transportation options facilitates easy commuting and connectivity. Additionally, considering the sense of community and the overall atmosphere that resonates with your lifestyle and preferences fosters a harmonious living experience. With useful information like amenities, cost of living, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Kansas City and in the areas around Kansas City is a much easier task.
Kansas City has a livability score of 75/100 and is ranked #45 in Kansas and #3,501 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Kansas City ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! If we take a closer look at each of the categories on their own, we see that Kansas City ranks well for amenities (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Kansas City does not score well for the following: crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-). It might be a good idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.
The mantra of real estate, "location, location, location," underscores the importance of where a property is situated, making it a pivotal factor in your quest for a new home. Fortunately, when you're living in Kansas City, you'll discover an abundance of exceptional local amenities and lots of things to do. Among these are conveniently located grocery stores, charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and plenty of spacious parks. These local amenities contribute significantly to its overall appeal, ensuring that your daily needs are met and offering ample opportunities for leisure and recreation. When considering your next move, the thriving local scene in Kansas City undoubtedly enhances its desirability, affirming the significance of its prime location. Among the enticing options for fun and exploration in Kansas City are: Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, Cabela's, and Kansas Speedway.
For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Kansas City apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Kansas City is actually affordable. Median real estate prices in Kansas City come in at $178,515, which is 27.6% lower than the Kansas average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Kansas City, the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 13.3% lower than the Kansas average.
| Statistic | Kansas City | Kansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 22min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 79.3% | 82.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.1% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.9% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.2% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 3.6% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
Here are the best places to live in Kansas
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Kansas
Most Dangerous States In The US
Check out the 10 most dangerous cities in Kansas