10 Best Neighborhoods in Kansas City To Move To in 2025
Kansas City Missouri
Kansas City is a vibrant city with a strong artistic flair. It’s become a more popular place to call home in recent years and has even managed to fit into the rankings of the “Best Places to Live” list by U.S. News & World Report. The best part? From participating in outdoor activities to exploring art museums, there’s always something to do in the best neighborhoods in Kansas City.
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Kansas City Population
With a population around 511,000, Kansas City is a diverse place to live. In fact, an estimated 46 percent of the Greater Downtown Kansas City population alone is made up of Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American residents.
Housing Prices in Kansas City
Kansas City’s average home value is around $233,800, while the national average home value is around $357,500. Rather rent? The city’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment sits at around $1,300, a steal compared to the nation’s average rent of around $1,750.Kansas City Neighborhoods - FAQ
Q: What is the hippest neighborhood in Kansas City?
A: Brookside is considered one of the hippest places you can live in Kansas City.
Q: Is it nice to live in Kansas City?
A: Because of the affordability, housing, culture, and art scene, Kansas City is regarded as one of the best cities to live in the United States.
Q: Is Kansas City a walkable city?
A: Kansas City has a Walk Score of 35, meaning you’ll likely need a car to get to most places.
Q: What is the safest area in Kansas City?
A: Blue Hills and Armour Hills are two of the best places to live in Kansas City when it comes to safety. According to AreaVibes, those Kansas City neighborhoods experience 70 percent and 69 percent less crime than the city overall, respectively.
Q: What is the nicest part of Kansas City?
A: Brookside and Armour Hills, which are both about five to six miles directly south of Downtown Kansas City, are some of the nicest parts of the city.
10 Best Neighborhoods in Kansas City
Waldo is one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for families with children looking for a tight-knit community to settle into.
(Source: Lauren Hruby of Silent H Real Estate via Facebook)
1. Waldo
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $900
- Average home value: $213,500
- Great for: Families, fun activities, unique properties
The Waldo neighborhood is a tight-knit community in Kansas City, and it’s perfect for families with kids. There’s always something happening in the area, but some of the most popular attractions are the Waldo Fall Festival and the Trolley Run. There are also a variety of different types of homes in the area, including Tudor- and Craftsman-style homes, as well as larger Colonial-style homes.
Though about 75 percent of the population owns their homes here, you can find more affordable rentals compared to some of the other best neighborhoods in Kansas City — the average for a one-bedroom apartment currently sits around $900 per month.
2. Mission Lake
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,025
- Average home value: $294,500
- Great for: Families, retirees, nightlife, diversity, fun activities, tranquility
If you're looking for a safe and quiet place to raise your family or retire (dogs very much welcome), look no further than Mission Lake. This area is located about 25 minutes south of Downtown Kansas City. It offers residents a peaceful environment with easy access to various big-city attractions.
There are plenty of mid-century modern and cozy ranch homes along Mission Lake's safe streets. Families residing in this area can easily access top-rated schools for the kids to attend. They can also enjoy the area's many parks and the Blue River, which runs through the neighborhood! If you’re looking for a cup of coffee to bring to the park, head to Crows Coffee. And when you don’t feel like cooking dinner, why not order from nearby Thai House on the way home?
Volker, Kansas City
(Source: Homes.com)
3. Volker
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,375
- Average home value: $269,500
- Great for: Young professionals, walkability, restaurants, historic homes
Southwest of Downtown Kansas City and positioned against the Missouri-Kansas border, Volker is another one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City. In terms of housing, you’ll find a variety of quaint bungalows, Craftsman-style homes, American Foursquares, and small brick apartment buildings along tree-lined streets.
Situated in the Midtown area, Volker is one of the best neighborhoods Kansas City has to offer if you’re looking for a mix of residential vibes and commercial conveniences. Plus, many of the businesses there are locally owned, giving it a rich sense of community. If you’re looking for a new read, check out Prospero’s Books & Media, where you can browse three floors of books, vinyls, and other forms of media. Or to fill up on a delicious plate of Mediterranean food, head to Aladdin Cafe. But with a Walk Score of 82, it’s also extremely easy to explore Volker on foot, so you can find your own favorite spots.
4. Blue Hills
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $900
- Average home value: $110,500
- Great for: Families, young professionals, education, fun activities
Situated in the southeast section of the city, Blue Hills is one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for families, thanks to its convenient access to various local amenities, including some of the best schools in the area. It’s also great for higher education, as you have access to Rockhurst University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
The whole family can take advantage of the Blue Hill Community Garden, and if you drive just west to neighboring Crestwood, you can all relish in a unique Kansas City offering: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures. Per their site, the museum is “home to the world’s largest collection of fine-scale miniatures and one of the largest collections of historic toys,” so whether you’re looking for a pint-sized peek into a study of the Palace at Versailles or a look at a 1900s children’s sewing machine, you can find it here.
River Market District
(Source: NSPJ Architects - Kansas City via Facebook)
5. River Market District (Greater Downtown)
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
- Average home value: $276,800
- Great for: Families, young professionals, historic sites, diverse food
Kansas City's River Market District falls between downtown and the Missouri River, and it’s among the best Kansas City neighborhoods for finding great food, history, and local produce. Just head to City Market, a year-round marketplace open daily where you can find everything from speciality groceries to locally made gifts.
There are many companies in this area, and there are great jobs in industries that include architecture, graphic design, photography, and public relations. Living here means you’ll have access to a diverse dining scene, as well, and you can get a taste of the city’s steamboat history at The Arabia Steamboat Museum.
6. Crown Center (Greater Downtown)
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,575
- Average home value: $255,300
- Great for: Families, art, music, food
A family-friendly atmosphere prevails in this area of Downtown Kansas City — and there’s never a shortage of things to see and do. One of the Crown Center District’s most prominent attractions is the Money Museum in the Federal Reserve Bank. Another impressive place to visit is the National WWI Museum and Memorial. And other must-see attractions include the Legoland Discovery Center, Sea Life Kansas City, Hallmark Kaleidoscope, and the Hallmark Visitors Center.
One of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for art lovers, Crossroads Art District is home to the Kansas City Ballet and Kansas City Symphony.
7. Crossroads Art District (Greater Downtown)
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,550
- Average home value: $311,900
- Great for: Art, music, food
The Crossroads District is located near the intersection of major highways in Kansas City. It’s a great place for artists and art lovers alike. With plenty of talented people and companies looking for creativity, there’s no shortage of exposure available to residents.
And with easy access to the Kansas City Ballet and the Kansas City Symphony, there are plenty of chances to enjoy great shows. It’s also a great place for foodies, as there are several notable establishments in this neighborhood like Blvd Tavern, and Affäre.
8. West Bottoms (Greater Downtown)
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
- Average home value: $259,500
- Great for: Young professionals, art, fun events, antique shops
The neighborhood of West Bottoms is full of fun history and treasures to discover. The First Weekends in West Bottoms is a unique event that extends the Crossroads Art District’s First Friday festivities.
The neighborhood is known for its antique shops, so you can go treasure hunting to your heart’s content here. Be sure to pay a visit to Weird Stuff Antiques, for example, where you can check out gems ranging from vintage cars and stereos to typewriters and neon signs. Or head to Stuffology to source some unique art and furnishings for your home. West Bottoms is also one of Kansas City’s best neighborhoods if you’re looking to find food trucks, restaurant deals, and parking for less than $10 in some spots.
Armour Hills is the top-ranked neighborhood in Kansas City for livability, and it’s also one of the city’s safest neighborhoods.
(Source: Cindy Shewmaker via Facebook)
9. Armour Hills
- Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,000
- Average home value: $434,300
- Great for: Families, fun activities, events, schools
The quaint Armour Hills neighborhood is located in South Kansas City and offers a variety of housing options like Tudor and Colonial homes. This area is great for families and offers plenty of education opportunities with nearby private and public schooling options. Its welcoming community atmosphere also helps make it one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City.
Those who reside in this area will enjoy the many events that it has to offer, such as the Freedom Parade and the Armour Hills Ice Cream Social. Not to mention, AreaVibes ranks Armour Hill No. 1 among the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for overall livability.
10. Brookside
- Average rent (one-bedroom): N/A
- Average home value: $448,400
- Great for: Young professionals, singles, culture, antique shops, shopping
Kansas City's hippest residents and urban professionals reside in the area of Brookside. This is one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City for exploring various cultural attractions and unique shops. Speaking of unique shops, be sure to check out a store named Stuff for anything from jewelry and holiday decor to rugs and handbags.
Brookside also boasts quite the dining scene with plenty of well-loved establishments. One of these is Carmen's Café, a long-time staple in the area. Another can’t-miss place? Jalapenos Mexican restaurant.
PODS has the know-how to help you move to one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City.
Move to One of the Best Neighborhoods in Kansas City With PODS
When you’re ready to move into your new Kansas City home, give PODS a call. You’ll have a portable storage container delivered straight to your driveway, which makes it easy to pack and load at your own pace, on your own time. Once you’re done, the container will be picked up and taken to your new space. Easy as that!
Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper; average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.
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