Kansas City 78 Exceptional
Kansas City Livability #29 ranked city in Missouri#2,377 ranked city in the USARanks better than 91% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Kansas City

PROS
  • 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.

CONS
  • 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.

  • 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.

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What's it like Living in Kansas City?

Kansas City, Missouri is a large city with a population of 491,158 residents. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 46% of the Kansas City population is married.

Living in Kansas City can be a good experience for anyone relocating to the town. Having said that, in the state of Missouri, there are many amazing 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. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, health & safety, education, you can easily compare the best places to live in Kansas City and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Kansas City to Missouri and the national average.

Kansas City, MO receives 77/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #26 in Missouri and #2,348 in the USA. Compared to the United States average, Kansas City ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Kansas City ranks better than 90% of all US cities! For each of the livability categories, we see that Kansas City ranks very well for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). Unfortunately for Kansas City, there are some categories for which it does not score well, this includes: crime (F).

Kansas City has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Kansas City has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the interesting things to do and attractions include: National World War I Museum, Country Club Plaza, and Country Club Plaza.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Kansas City market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Assuming that Kansas City meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Kansas City. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Kansas City are simply unattainable. The median home price for Kansas City homes is $163,300, which is 15.7% higher than the Missouri average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Kansas City, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.9, which is 0% lower than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Kansas City

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Kansas City?

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Compare Kansas City, MO Livability

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      Kansas City transportation information

      Statistic Kansas City Missouri National
      Average one way commute22min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.9%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool7.5%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.6%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.2%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk1.8%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home6.7%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Kansas City, MO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).