Living in Kansas City, MO

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Moving to Kansas City, Missouri? There is a lot to love about this fast-growing city. Many people come here because of the booming job market. But when you arrive, you will discover that the allure of this metropolitan area goes far beyond employment opportunities to encompass a low cost of living, beautiful neighborhoods, top-shelf educational institutions, and more.

In this guide, we will tell you about all of these aspects of living in Kansas City and more. Let’s jump in.



Cost of Living in Kansas City Missouri

What is the Cost of Living in Kansas City?

Sperling’s Best Places provides us with detailed cost of living data for Kansas City, Missouri.

This website uses a scale to compare the cost of living for Kansas City to the cost of living statewide and across the country. On that scale, 100 represents the nationwide average. Numbers above 100 are more expensive than the nationwide average. Numbers below 100 are less expensive than the nationwide average.

On that scale, the cost of living for Kansas City overall is rated at 86.2. The cost of living for Missouri on average is rated at 85.9.

This makes it significantly less expensive to live in Kansas City than it does across the country on average. It is also only marginally more expensive to live in Kansas City than it is to live in Missouri on average. That means that the cost of living in this city is quite affordable for a metropolitan area.

Sperling’s breaks down costs support costs categories. For the majority of categories, Kansas City is more affordable than the US average. That includes savings on groceries, healthcare costs, transportation and housing.

Housing Cost in Kansas City Missouri

What is the Cost of Housing in Kansas City?

In fact, housing is where you will see some of the most impressive savings in Kansas City. On the same scale where the US average cost is 100, the cost of housing in Kansas City is rated at 63.3. Interestingly enough, that also makes it less expensive than the Missouri average, which is rated at 69.

What does that amount to in terms of dollar costs? $291,700 is the nationwide average cost for housing. $195,300 is the median home cost listed for Kansas City.

So, by moving to Kansas City, MO, you have a great chance to save on housing, which can help you get ahead financially.

Employment Opportunities in Kansas City Missouri

Employment Opportunities in Kansas City

According to data from the US Census, the median household income in Kansas City, MO from 2016 through 2020 was $56,179.

Quite a few major companies are based in Kansas City, including American Century Investments, Hostess Brands, H&R Block, Hallmark Cards, Novastar Financial, Lockton Companies, and others.

The top employers in Kansas City are the public school system, the federal government, the state, county and city governments, Cerner Corporation, HCA Midwest Health System, Saint Luke’s Health System, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, T-Mobile, The University of Kansas Hospital, and Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Education in Kansas City Missouri

Education in Kansas City

Sperling’s reports that Kansas City schools spend $13,820 on every student, which beats the $12,383 US average.

There are a total of 16 school districts operating in Kansas City. Families have a selection of private and public schools to choose from.

Kansas City is a great place to be located if you are looking for higher education. There are quite a few postsecondary schools in the area.

Some colleges to consider include the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Rockhurst University, Kansas City Art Institute, Park University, Avila University, Baker University, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Metropolitan Community College (Kansas City), and others.

With so many great options, Kansas City is a wonderful place to bring up a family. From elementary school clear through college, students will receive a first-class education.

Getting Around in Kansas City Missouri

Getting Around Kansas City

There are a number of public transit options that can take you through the Kansas City metropolitan area. These include KCATA-RideKC, RideKC Bus and MAX, RideKC Streetcar, RideKC Bridj, and Amtrak.

Do you like to walk? At first glance, you might not think of Kansas City as a particularly walkable city, given that it is not ranked in the top walkable cities. But select neighborhoods such as the Downtown Loop, the Crossroads, the Plaza, and Westport are very walkable.

According to Sperling’s, 80.4% of workers in Kansas City drive to work by themselves, while 8.4% carpool, 4.8% work from home, and 2.9% use mass transportation. Since the pandemic, it is likely that the work from home percentage has increased.

And if you are going to be driving to work, you will be excited to learn that it takes significantly less time on average to commute in Kansas City than it does across the country on average.

The average time for a one-way commute in the US as a whole is 26.4 minutes. The average time for a one-way commute in Kansas City is only 21.8 minutes. So, you could end up saving around 9 minutes a day on your commute time compared to what you might expect elsewhere. Even over the course of a week, that adds up to quite a bit.

Good Weather in Kansas City Missouri

How is the Weather in Kansas City?

If what you are looking for is a comfortable, temperate location with distinct seasons, you should be very happy in Kansas City.

During summer, the temperatures can range up to around 89 degrees Fahrenheit. During winter, they can drop down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can expect around 42 inches of rain each year, along with about 15 inches of snow.

Sperling’s has a comfort index that rates climates on a scale where 10 is the best. On that scale, Kansas City has a score of 7.2. That is more comfortable than the US average, which is a 7.

Leisure and Entertainment in Kansas City Missouri

Leisure and Entertainment in Kansas City

Kansas City is renowned throughout the Midwest for its culture. If you are into the performing arts, you will enjoy the Starlight Theatre, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Kansas City also is known for its jazz history, and there are still many spots around town where you can enjoy live jazz music today. Indeed, Kansas City has received the distinction of being called a “City of Music” by UNESCO. No other US city has earned this label.

Some other ways to entertain yourself in Kansas City include visits to attractions such as Worlds of Fun, Science City, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and the Kansas City Zoo.

If you are looking for green spaces, you can visit locations such as Amity Woods Nature Park, Parkville Nature Sanctuary and Lakeside Nature Center.

Move Into Your Kansas City Dream Home

If you are ready to move to an affordable city with a lot to offer, Kansas City, Missouri, is calling you home. To apply now for a flexible home loan, please call us today at (816) 631-9687 to schedule your consultation. We work with homebuyers and homeowners throughout the country.

See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us!

Paul Nsubisi Mwankusye
Paul Nsubisi Mwankusye
18:45 09 Mar 24
Very organized and professional which makes the process easy and smooth. I recommend
Chanita Tuggle
Chanita Tuggle
22:39 05 Mar 24
Jessica was very helpful and knowledgeable about the whole process, patient with me being a 1st time home buyer she literally held my hand and walked me through the process will recommend McGowan Mortgages to my friends and family thanks for all you guys did for me
Karen Myers
Karen Myers
18:37 05 Mar 24
Very helpful with helping us secure a HELOC for the purchase of a second property. Always available for questions and responsive to any concerns. Thanks!
Lorena Patterson
Lorena Patterson
11:56 05 Mar 24
As a closer for a title company for the last 20 years I know good service and I love that I was given everything before I even had to ask for it. Love the organization and attention to detail.
Betsy Siegfried
Betsy Siegfried
19:54 07 Feb 24
Derek and his team were great to partner with! Having happy buyers at the closing table is best part of our job. I would highly recommend and look forward to working with McGowan Mortgage again.
Lori Sosa
Lori Sosa
14:28 07 Feb 24
As an escrow agent, closing on time is very important to me. Derek and his team have not only been ready on time but they are ready early. This speaks volumes in my world.
Cesar Bustamante
Cesar Bustamante
18:57 05 Feb 24
It wasn't easy but Derek and his team work it out, we got the house that we wanted, we highly recommend them.
ROD FAM
ROD FAM
18:06 05 Feb 24
This was our first time buying a home & I can honestly say McGowan Mortgages was so helpful. Debra was so sweet and always available to answer our calls for any of our questions. It was a rough 3 months, but we finally secured our home, they were so patient and wanted to give us the best rate possible and did just that! Derek, Fidel the whole team was awesome and they made our first time buying a home so much more fun and definitely worth it! Thank you for everything.
Thu Phan
Thu Phan
04:37 04 Feb 24
McGowen Mortgage is super easy to work with! We literally got our Heloc in less than 2 weeks! Thanks guys!
John F
John F
01:27 03 Feb 24
Great experience! Highly recommend
Caleb White
Caleb White
16:47 02 Feb 24
Diana Ruiz
Diana Ruiz
16:40 02 Feb 24
Graciela Arellano
Graciela Arellano
03:34 10 Jan 24
Great team, above and beyond to make my families dream come true. Truly blessed.
Joshua Randol
Joshua Randol
14:26 26 Dec 23
Had McGowan Mortgages for a closing of mine. Derek was incredibly responsive and easy to work with. When an issue popped up, he was the first to step up and start working toward a solution and he got our closing to the table. Highly recommended!
Melrose D
Melrose D
17:36 23 Dec 23
Company really handled me with love n care. Walked me through the whole journey of what to expect and what was needed from me. I'm proud to call myself a first time home buyer because of McGowan awesome crew!!
Noah Hardin
Noah Hardin
16:24 23 Dec 23
They did a lot of extra work to push my loan through. There were multiple hiccups and they powered through and got it done.
euphbonebrass
euphbonebrass
03:19 23 Dec 23
McGowan Mortgages is one awesome team of people that will take care of your mortgage/financing needs! They are the best!!
Jessica Lee
Jessica Lee
15:50 30 Nov 23
I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience working with the exceptional loan team - Derek McGowan of McGowan Mortgages. Their commitment to clients is evident in their caring approach, efficient processes, and remarkable speed in helping families attain homeownership. It is truly an honor to work alongside someone so dedicated to turning dreams into reality. Derek McGowan and his team are exceptional!
Jennifer Mann
Jennifer Mann
19:53 29 Nov 23
Derek does a great job communicating with his clients, and also the vendors involved in the closing process. He is professional and great to work with!
Robillard Castor
Robillard Castor
18:00 29 Nov 23
1st home purchase and what an experience! The entire process from Pre-Approval to Funding was Quick, Smooth and Transparent. Joe was awesome! He was very informative answered all my questions and stayed in close contact with me throughout the entire process. Derek was great as well, he kept everyone (Agent, Title Co, Underwriters) on a strict timeline which allowed us to close early! I would recommend McGowan to everyone!
Jeff Greenstein
Jeff Greenstein
15:07 29 Nov 23
We just closed a loan for Derek and his team, they were great to work with from a title company perspective.
brad cross
brad cross
10:39 29 Nov 23
McGowan Mortgages is amazing! The best of the best!
Alisha Brooks
Alisha Brooks
02:26 29 Nov 23
Derek amd his team are fantastic to work with. They are thorough, communicative, and very easy to collaborate with.I have enjoyed the deals I have gotten to work along side them on to get the clients to the finish line of making home ownership a reality.Believe me when I say their main focus is helping their clients to see the reality of their dreams of homeownership come true and it shows in their hardwork behind the scenes.Alisha BrooksAlliance Title
Christine Montiel
Christine Montiel
20:02 26 Nov 23
We could not have gotten through this process without the entire team's support. So thankful for everyone!
Left 2 Right Detailing
Left 2 Right Detailing
06:03 16 Nov 23
Friendly. Easy to work with.
Jas Benibo
Jas Benibo
19:47 15 Nov 23
I absolutely love working with Derek at McCowan Mortgages. They have great communication, and even better programs and rates. As a real estate agent, I love sending my clients to McGowan Mortgages because I know they will be greatly taken care of.
Tynisha Watson
Tynisha Watson
04:59 15 Nov 23
McGowan Mortgages stands out for its transparency, knowledge, and excellent communication. This team guides my buyers through various loan programs with expertise, ensuring a smooth process. Their commitment to clear communication, coupled with multiple loan options, makes them an outstanding choice for any buyer. I Highly recommend!Tynisha Watson, Platinum Realty@myrealtortwatson
Yesenia Silva
Yesenia Silva
19:42 14 Nov 23
We are so Glad we found Derek during our house hunting journey. After talking to a few lenders McGowan definitely out beats them all! Being first time home owners the team went above and beyond with explaining the whole process and would answer our calls to answer all our questions which made the process so much easier. We definitely recommend to everyone!
Tim Jones
Tim Jones
15:28 13 Nov 23
McGowan has been a great mortgage company to work with. Very attentive to details, great lending partner to work with and have supported our organization with open arms!
Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz
17:49 11 Nov 23
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