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 is a medium-sized city located in the state of Kansas. The city has a population of 153,014 people. 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. In Kansas City, only 47% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle.
Are you trying to decide if living in Kansas City is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before moving to any new city in Kansas, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, commute, health & safety, employment, 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 Kansas and the national average.
Using data and statistics Kansas City has received a livability score of 74 out of 100. This score is ranked in the 88th percentile when compared to all other cities. For each of the livability categories, we see that Kansas City ranks very well for amenities (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A). There are some categories that Kansas City ranks poorly for, including: crime (F), education (F) and employment (D-). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.
If you're living in Kansas City, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Kansas City an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. 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.
Kansas City real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Kansas City. The median home price for Kansas City homes is $101,300, which is 25.1% lower than the Kansas 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 2.2, which is 12% 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% |
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