If you’re on the hunt for a new job, a new home, or a new lifestyle, it’s worth looking into different cities that may appeal to you before making a decision. Kansas City, Missouri may appeal to you with its strong job market and low cost of living, but there’s plenty more to make note of before moving there.
Kansas City may be in Missouri, but it’s right on the border with Kansas and offers easy access to a lot of the Midwest, earning it the nickname “the Heart of America”. You’ll find a rich history of music and the arts, plenty of jobs in many industries, diverse and friendly neighborhoods, and a robust public transport system. In this article, we’ll highlight some of Kansas City’s appeal and help you get a sense for what it’s like to live there!
Music, arts, and sports
Kansas City is a landmark in the rise of American jazz, having been home to legendary groups and performances led by names like Count Basie and Charlie Parker. If you’re a jazz fan, you can take a walk through music history at the American Jazz Museum or check out current legends and up-and-coming performers alike at the Blue Room Jazz Club.
Jazz isn’t Kansas City’s only claim to fame, though; there are plenty of art galleries, museums, and public sculptures to appreciate throughout the city. If you prefer performance art, you can see everything from ballet to opera at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Parks and public fountains are everywhere in Kansas City, adding a little color and life to your downtown stroll. The Kansas City Library offers avid readers a huge selection of books, as well as its iconic parking garage painted to look like a massive bookshelf.
Sports fans will find plenty to appreciate as well. While Kansas City doesn’t have a basketball team any more, football fans can tailgate and cheer for the Chiefs. If you prefer baseball, you’ll be able to cheer on the Royals (MLB) or the Monarchs (AAPB).
Jobs and industry
Middle America Regional Council reports that Kansas City has bounced back rather well from the COVID-19 pandemic’s dip in employment, having 1,152,600 filled positions as of December 2024. Unemployment has also remained low at around 3.6% as of the same time period.
Around 20% of Missouri’s state employment comes from Kansas City, with the top industries being healthcare, manufacturing, retail, finance, and tech. Hallmark Cards, Garmin International, H&R Block and AMC are all headquartered in the city, and other major employers include FedEx, Honeywell and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Cost of living
Thanks to the popularity of Kansas City’s job market, the cost of living in the Heart of America is right on par with the national average as of 2026. This may not seem remarkable at a glance, but it’s much lower than most other major cities, especially in housing and transportation costs. These are offset by slightly higher energy and food costs than the rest of the country.
If you’re looking to purchase a home in Kansas City, you’d better move quickly; the average home value is $240,055, reflecting a steady growth over the past few years. Almost half the homes sell for under list price, however, so you may be pleasantly surprised if you make a lower offer.
Rent prices, on the other hand, are on a steady decline. The average rent out of all available properties in Kansas City is currently $1,380 per month, a $15 decrease from 2025 and 31% lower than the national average.
Neighborhoods
No matter what lifestyle you prefer, you’ll be sure to find a Kansas City neighborhood where you fit right in. There are over 240 distinct neighborhoods, so let’s go over a few of the most popular from fast-paced urban life to cozy family-friendly spaces.
Waldo
Despite the name, Waldo isn’t hard to find; it’s located near the center of Kansas City and offers affordable housing with a close-knit community. It’s considered great for families, with plenty of neighborhood-wide events to enjoy.
River Market
If you’re looking for more of an urban lifestyle and want to focus on your career, River Market is the place for you. You’ll pay more for housing, but in exchange you’ll get beautiful views and plenty of job and leisure opportunities.
Volker
Folks looking for nightlife and shopping opportunities will thrive in Volker, home to a diverse young population and some of the hottest bars and clubs in the area. The Country Club Plaza shopping center is also nearby, offering plenty of trendy clothes and accessories.
Armour Hills
Offering nature walks and a suburban style, Armour Hills is perfect for families and outdoorsy types. It’s right next to Waldo, giving you access to their neighborhood events as well.
Brookside
Serious foodies and casual diners alike will love Brookside’s wide range of restaurants and cuisines to try. The neighborhood also boasts a charming array of fairs and parades perfect for the whole family.
Other neighborhoods to include in your Kansas City home search:
- Crossroads Art District
- West Bottoms
- Crown Center
- Downtown Kansas City
- Manheim Park
Transportation
If you plan on bringing your car to Kansas City, you’re in luck; commuters spend about 84 hours in rush hour each year, with most places being within reach in 40 minutes or less. You’ll have a much easier time driving than you would in places like New York or Chicago.
If public transport is more your speed, RideKC operates a free streetcar system to get around downtown quickly. They also offer a bike sharing service and plenty of bus routes for you to access neighborhoods outside the Kansas City metro area.
Kansas City also offers IRIS, its own app-based rideshare service designed to be a cost-effective alternative to Uber and Lyft. Funded by the city and costing from $3 to $10 per person per ride, depending on distance, it’s another convenient way to navigate the city and its surrounding areas.
Education
If you’re bringing your family to Kansas City and you’re concerned about your kids getting a good education, check out neighborhoods served by Rising Hill Elementary, Park Hill High School, or Bell Prairie Elementary School—these schools have the best test score rankings among the city’s 185 public education institutions. If you prefer a private school, there are over 70 to choose from.
For local higher education and graduate school options, you’ll find plenty of reputable universities nearby, including Rockhurst University, Kansas City Art Institute and University of Missouri, Kansas City. The University of Kansas is just 40 minutes away if you’d rather get your education across the state line.
Weather
Kansas City’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, but the main concern of most residents is tornado warnings during particularly bad weather events. Get familiar with safety procedures and be prepared to take shelter in the case of a tornado, and you’ll do just fine in Tornado Alley.
Aside from the occasional twister, Kansas City is your typical four-season city with hot, humid summers, and winters that are cold and snowy. (If you don’t love that white stuff, don’t worry—KC sees an average of 14 inches each winter, less than the U.S. average.)
You can expect the hottest month to be July with average highs of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. January brings the lowest lows, sometimes dipping down to 20 degrees.
More things to do
Whether you’re visiting on vacation or planning a major move, there are plenty of places and activities worth experiencing when you’re in Kansas City. Here are just ten suggestions:
- Visit the Fountain at Mill Creek Park, one of the most well-known of Kansas City’s 49 fountains.
- Stop by one of the city’s more than 100 barbecue restaurants for delicious local fare.
- Visit Union Station, a former train station that’s home to science and arts museums, the Extreme Screen, and traveling attractions for the whole family.
- Tailgate and take in a Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium.
- Stop by River Market to pick up local produce and have a meal with a beautiful view of the river.
- Learn about Kansas City’s role in the rise of jazz at the American Jazz Museum.
- Stop by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and learn more about Black Americans in baseball history.
- Catch a Kansas City Royals baseball game at Kauffman Stadium.
- Explore Ernie Miller Nature Center, full of diverse habitats and wildlife.
- Visit West 39th Street for an eclectic array of shops and restaurants.
Moving to Kansas City
If you’ve done your research, scouted out places to live, and are ready to move to the Heart of America, you’re in the right place to find storage while you make the trip! Take a look at SelfStorage.com’s built-in search tool to find affordable self storage in Kansas City and sort by the sizes and features you require.
