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Whether you know it as Kansas City or , this beloved city always has something new to discover. It straddles both Missouri and Kansas and comes with lots of history to explore, along with fun activities to partake in. And with a in plenty of industries, living in Kansas City is great for young professionals and families alike. The low cost of living alongside a vibrant, creative community is a great bonus, too.

Kansas City, Missouri — At a Glance

• Cowtown has a .
• Kansas City encompasses .
• The median age in Kansas City is a .

Kansas City, Missouri – FAQs

Q: Is Kansas City a nice place to live?
A: Is Kansas City, Missouri, a good place to live? With lots of job opportunities, affordable living, and plenty of fun activities, Kansas City is one of the nicest places to live in the U.S.

Q: What is a good salary in Kansas City?
A: The is $55,180. However, with so many positions in tech and healthcare available, there are opportunities to make well over this amount.

Q: What are winters like in Kansas City?
A: The winters in Kansas City are very cold, snowy, and windy, with an of close to freezing. 

Q: How much money do you need to live comfortably in Kansas City?
A: According to the , the required income before taxes for a single adult living in Kansas City, Missouri, without children is $45,137. For a family with two working parents and two children, that required income goes up to $106,668.

Q: What do I need to know before moving to Kansas City?
A: What is Kansas City like? Before moving to Kansas City, you may want to note some of the pros and cons of living there. For example, the relatively affordable cost of living, diverse housing market, and world-class BBQ are among the upsides, while the risk of tornadoes, higher state taxes, and bitterly cold winters are among the possible downsides. Read on for more of what we think you should know before you make the move to Cowtown.

16 Things To Know About Living in Kansas City, Missouri 

Check out these 16 things you should know about living in Kansas City, MO, including information about cost of living, the housing market, schools, and more.

Though it’s slightly higher than the Missouri average, the cost of living in Kansas City is 6% lower than the national average. 

1. You Can Enjoy a Lower Cost of Living in Kansas City.

Among a plethora of other reasons, the is a factor that drives so many people to Kansas City. In fact, the cost of living is six percent lower in Kansas City than the U.S. average. 

2. Like Any City, There Are Some Pros and Cons of Living in Kansas City.

Pros of Living in Kansas City

• Affordable and diverse housing market
• World-class BBQ
• Lots of entertainment options
• Another decade of Patrick Mahomes
• Low cost of living compared to other major metros

Cons of Living in Kansas City

• Possibility of tornadoes
• Higher state taxes
• Landlocked area
• Hot, muggy summers and bitterly cold winters

3. The Kansas City Housing Market Is Nothing To Sneeze At.

Prices in the KC housing market have ballooned over the last few years. Home ownership is still attainable when it comes to living in Kansas City, but homebuyers should approach it with an open mind. Luckily, however, there’s no shortage of great places to live. And with over , Kansas City has a variety of modernist and mid-century designed houses. The in Kansas City is around $236,300.

4. Apartment Costs in Kansas City Have Been Rising, Too.

Along with the homes in Kansas City, MO, apartment values and rents have grown significantly since 2020. This problem isn’t unique to KC, as all of America has seen this price growth, but residents are definitely feeling the squeeze. The for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,250, and the average size totals about 900 square feet.

Its convenient location and affordability make the Blue Hills neighborhood in Southeast Kansas City a great place for growing families to settle down.
(Source: )

5. When It Comes to Best Places To Live in Kansas City, Several Areas Stand Out.

Here are three of our favorite neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO:

Armour Hills

The quaint Armour Hills neighborhood is located in South Kansas City and offers a variety of home styles and housing options. This area is great for families with kids, as there are several private schools nearby. This community has plenty of events for families to enjoy, as well, such as the and the Ice Cream Social.

Blue Hills

The Blue Hills neighborhood in Southeast Kansas City is a great place for families to live. Its convenient location and affordability make it an ideal choice for growing families. And one of the — Paseo Academy — is located here.

There are also various higher educational institutions near the area, such as and the . Residents of all ages in this neighborhood can also take advantage of community projects, such as the Blue Hill Community Garden.

Waldo

Rated the , according to Niche, the tight-knit community of Waldo has plenty of activities for the whole family, such as the and the . This area also has access to a variety of educational institutions, including the and .

There are a variety of home styles and sizes throughout Waldo, including Tudor and small Craftsman-style homes, as well as larger Colonial-style houses with large yards — ideal for kids and pets.

6. Some of the Best Schools in the Nation Are in Kansas City.

The Kansas City metro area has several excellent schools to choose from. In fact, the is regarded as one of the . There are also other great school districts, such as the and the .

In case you missed it, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Superbowl Championship in 2024 — their fourth Superbowl win! 
(Source: )

7. Sports Fans Love Kansas City.

Kansas City is the perfect place to live if you love professional sports. The are in the midst of perhaps their greatest run in their long history, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the surefire hall-of-fame coach Andy Reid, and historically great tight end Travis Kelce. Since 2019, the Chiefs have won three Super Bowls, been to five consecutive AFC Championship Games, and have won their division four times in a row to boot!

The have a good semi-recent history, last winning the World Series in 2015 over the Mets, but they’re currently rebuilding. There is hope, though, with budding stars in Bobby Witt, Jr., and MJ Melendez giving fans something to look forward to in the coming years.

The are also a local baseball team, playing in the minor American Association of Professional Baseball (AAPB). You can catch them at Legends Field, or you can head over to Kauffman Stadium to catch the Royals. And hockey fans will find a home at Cable Dahmer Arena, where they can watch the of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

8. Safety in Kansas City Should Be a Top Priority.

One thing you’ll have to be vigilant about in the city is its crime rate. While there are safe neighborhoods, it’s estimated that . Your chance of becoming a victim of either property or violent crime is 1 in 16. Crime is a little less frequent in Missouri as a whole, however, with a 1 in 205 chance of being a victim of violent crime, specifically, versus a 1 in 67 chance in Kansas City.

9. Kansas City Weather Can Get Pretty Wild.

Kansas City is right in the middle of Tornado Alley and, while the number of tornadoes has gone down in the last decade, Kansas City living means being aware of the potential risk. 

10. Be Prepared for Tornado Warnings.

Kansas City is right in the middle of tornado alley, which means that you will find that most homes have reinforced basements. Though numbers have (thankfully!), that lull isn’t expected to last forever. It’s very important that you stay up to date with weather alerts if you decide to move here.

11. There Are Thriving Job Opportunities in Kansas City. 

Kansas City is home to plenty of fabulous job opportunities, driving many young professionals to the area. The metro is known for its manufacturing, financial, and animal health industries. 

There are also plenty of companies headquartered in the city. Major organizations include H&R Block and Hallmark, but if you’d rather work at a smaller startup, check out PayIt, iOR, or Triple Blend.

12. Kansas City Has Low Unemployment Rates. 

In recent years, ranged around 2.5 to 3.6 percent, which is a bit lower than the national average of . Plenty of job opportunities and affordable housing have been main contributing factors as to why these rates have been so low. 

In the Kansas City metro area, most commuters spend less than 23 minutes traveling each way. 

13. You May Have a Shorter Commute Time in KC. 

Kansas City’s . One of the biggest drawbacks of living in a big city in the U.S. is the commute time. However, in the Kansas City metro area, most commuters spend traveling each way. This makes it one of the shortest commute areas in the country.

However, outside of the city, there is no public transit system. This means that most people have to buy a car to get around and into the city. If you’re looking to ditch your drive, you might want to consider downtown living.

If you’re moving to Kansas City, you better bring your appetite for mouthwatering BBQ and everything else the city’s flourishing dining scene has to offer. 

16. Kansas City Food Is Mouthwatering.

For many years, the culinary scene in Kansas City consisted largely of barbecue, burgers, and butchery. However, Kansas City living has come to include quite the dining scene over the years. If you’re planning on moving to Kansas City, you better bring your appetite!

Some of the most delicious and unique restaurants in Kansas City, MO, include:

• : This trendy restaurant offers a variety of great options. You can enjoy a meal at the Supper Club, where you can share fried chicken and other food like seaweed donuts with your friends while listening to music. Or you can visit the Tasting Room, where you can get a closer look at Michael Corvino, the chef who created some of the restaurant's signature dishes.
• : Nothing says “Cowtown” like a mouthwatering steak, right? This restored 1949 steakhouse is located in the Stockyards District and claims to be the birthplace of the KC strip. Regardless of where and when, these classic cuts and their accompaniments can’t be missed!

Getting to Kansas City, MO, Is Easy With the Help of ÐÓ°ÉPro 

Making the decision to move to Kansas City is the easy part. Getting there is the trick. So simplify your move by using ÐÓ°ÉPro portable moving containers. ÐÓ°ÉPro will deliver a container to your driveway where you can load it on your own schedule. Need help with the heavy lifting? ÐÓ°ÉPro can even connect you with local packing and loading services. When you’re ready, your container will be picked up and delivered right to your new Kansas City home, or you can keep it in a ÐÓ°ÉPro Storage Center until you’re ready for it.