Diversity in neighborhoods, arts, sports and industry drives growing Midwest city
Kansas City has all the ingredients of a great American city. It's full of rich history, proud traditions and strong support for the arts, culture, and major league sports.
From its early days as the home of native people, it has been a place of commerce and community. Located at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, it became a stop along the Santa Fe Trail, gaining more prominence as a railroad hub after the Civil War. Like other Midwest river cities, it went through cycles of decline and regrowth. The city's most recent efforts have reaped booming and fashionable dining, arts and entertainment hubs such as the Power & Light District , Crossroads community and River Market area. Kansas City has evolved into a modern, creative, vibrant, and mostly affordable place to live, work and have fun.
"You have all the amenities of a bustling downtown with none of the traffic that comes with bigger cities and a lower cost of living. The first thing that surprises people about Kansas City is its diversity. You have people moving here from coasts and all over the country. Newcomers are also often surprised that the weather here isn't as bad as expected," Jaylenn Wong, a Realtor with Compass Realty, says.
The metro area, literally in the heart of America, straddles the borders of Missouri and Kansas, with a diverse population of 2.2 million people. Within that, Kansas City, Missouri's growing population is about half a million, making it the state's most populous city. It grew by over 10% from 2010 to 2020, compared to 7% for U.S. population growth during the same period. Its robust economy is fueled by tech, bioscience, distribution, food and beverage and financial services industries, major employers like Garmin International, the federal government, T-Mobile and Hallmark Cards.
Power & Light District has an urban feel with vibrant signs.
There are many bars, distilleries, and restaurants downtown in Crossroads.
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Neighborhoods, cities and subdivisions offer variety in lifestyle and housing affordability
Kansas City, Missouri, comprises a wide variety of neighborhoods, from walkable, urban districts like the Country Club Plaza and River Market to quiet, self-contained suburbs like Deer Creek in Johnson County to more expansive exurbs found in Parkville, Missouri or Gardner, Kansas.
"Kansas City's one of the best places and one of the most affordable places. When we have out-of-town buyers from places like California, they think they've died and gone to heaven," Kathy Koehler, a Realtor with ReeceNichols, says.
The median home price in Kansas City is $280,000, compared to the national median of $420,000. Prices vary widely by district and neighborhood. Some more affordable homes can be found in the historic northeast with mansions ripe for renovation or midcentury styles in the south K.C. suburbs around Raytown or Lee's Summit. In contrast, homes in some Overland Park suburbs or established Missouri-side neighborhoods like Countryside can top $1 million for newer or renovated homes. Condos in downtown neighborhoods like Crossroads and Crown Center sell for around $300,000 to $600,000. "You can find anything you want in the metro area, whether a new build in Johnson County or a small bungalow in Brookside Park ]," Wong says.
There are several contemporary style homes in the Countryside neighborhood.
Crown Center condos are housed in buildings ranging from modern high-rises to brick structures.
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Chiefs, Royals and KC Current keep fans coming back for competition, fun and hometown pride
Kansas City is an ardent sports town, which is evident on gamedays when fans get decked out in their finest team jerseys and the city of fountains spouts with colored water. The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and MLB’s Kansas City Royals play in the Truman Sports Complex. Known as the Soccer Capital of America, it's home to East Bottoms ' CPKC Stadium, the world's only purpose-built stadium for professional women's sports, where the Kansas City Current professional women’s soccer team plays.
The city has almost 1,400 parks and more than 2,600 miles of trails and bikeways for its active residents. The Swope Park community is home to the Kansas City Zoo, the Starlight Theater and the Lakeside Nature Center. Loose Park in midtown includes a sprawling rose garden and a lake. Several parks on both sides of the state line feature lakes for fishing and extensive walking and biking trails. During hot, muggy summer days, residents can cool off at a nearby lake or head to water parks like Oceans of Fun or smaller aquatics facilities throughout the metro area.
Kansas City has numerous museums, including the country’s only museum dedicated to World War I, the National Toy and Miniatures Museums and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The century-old Union Station is an active Amtrack station with shopping and an often-used event space. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts hosts more than 300 shows per year, including regular performances by the Kansas City Symphony, the Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.
The KC Urban Youth Academy is located in the 18th & Vine neighborhood.
Swope Park residents have instant access to Kansas City's most popular attractions.
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Four of Niche's five top Kansas school districts in K.C. metro area
There are 112 public school districts across the Kansas City metro. Many of the city’s students will attend the Kansas City Missouri School District, which serves more than 14,000 students and earns a C-plus from Niche. Several districts on the Kansas side, including De Soto, Olathe, Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission, are Niche’s top-ranked districts in Kansas.
Niche also gives top rankings to private schools such as The Barstow School, Pembroke Hill School, Notre Dame de Sion High School, Rockhurst High School and St. Teresa’s Academy.
Kansas City is home to over 30 colleges and universities. The University of Missouri Kansas City is an urban campus right in midtown, and the University of Kansas Medical School and Nursing School are in Kansas City, Kansas. The University of Kansas's main campus is 40 miles away in Lawrence.
The Pembroke Hill experience is based on education being society’s most important act.
The all-girls Notre Dame De Sion High School is located in the Bridlespur neighborhood.
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Hosting events from St. Patrick's Day Parade to 2026 World Cup matches
Kansas City’s St. Patrick's Day Parade has grown to attract over 300,000 people in its five-decade history. Celebrations erupt throughout the metro area during the winter holidays, including the Plaza Lighting ceremony, the Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Crown Center and several events at the Overland Park Botanical Gardens and its smaller venues across the metro. Pride Fest celebrations have been on Kansas City's special events calendar for 45 years.
In 2026, the city will add another event to its long list. It will be one of 16 cities to host FIFA World Cup matches, including a quarterfinal.
Free public transportation with the KC Streetcar and RideKC buses
Kansas City has actively worked to upgrade its transportation infrastructure over the past decade. In 2024, it opened a new $1.5 billion KCI Airport terminal. In its 2024 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, J.D. Power voted the new terminal the third-best large airport in overall customer satisfaction. The new terminal is 20 miles south of downtown.
By the end of 2025, the city will have expanded the KC Streetcar route making free transit available from several midtown locations to downtown. This is in addition to the free RideKC bus service that serves the entire metro area with more than 80 routes. Kansas City's was the country's first major metro transit system to offer free service.
For those who prefer to drive, K.C. is within a two-day drive of 85% of the United States with easy access to Interstate 35 and 70. The average commute time is about 23 minutes, slightly less than the national average of under 26 minutes.
Distinctive dining flair from the Country Club Plaza to River Market to Waldo
The food scene is as varied as the city's neighborhoods, with eclectic dining, locally brewed craft beer and elaborate cocktails in urban entertainment districts like the Country Club Plaza, the Power & Light District, River Market and Crossroads. "The food scene is sneaky good,” says Nick Pickrell, a Realtor with Local Agent, LLC. “We are kind of a foodie town. We have great music venues, local breweries, restaurants and coffee shops."
The city is probably best known for its barbeque, with more than 100 restaurants that specialize in Kansas City Barbeque. The city is also home to several James Beard nominees and award winners, including Yoli Tortilleria in Westside, the Drastic Measures bar in Shawnee and the Waldo Thai restaurant in south K.C. Farm-to-table champion, local chef and owner of the Room 39 restaurant Ted Habinger has been nominated three times for the James Beard Foundation Outstanding Chef Award.
Downtown's Power & Light District bursts with activity, with 50 restaurants, bars, apparel stores, and nightlife attractions. The city is also home to dozens of jazz clubs, prominently in the 18th And Vine District.
Crestwood residents are less than two miles from the Country Club Plaza.
Yard House in the Power and Light has a broad menu to pair with their extensive draft beer list.
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Important to know
Kansas City enjoys four seasons, with pleasant weather in spring and fall. Summers can be hot and muggy, while winters can be cold, windy and snowy — with an average of 12 inches annually. Kansas City is in Tornado Alley, meaning residents may need shelter during powerful storms and tornadoes. The area is also prone to ice storms, which can leave hundreds of thousands of residents without electricity.
The crime rate in Kansas City is regularly twice as high as U.S. and Missouri rates. Over the past five years, violent crime rates have remained steady while property crime has risen, according to FBI data. "The area, especially on the Missouri side, sometimes gets a bad rap on crime, but most people can avoid problems by knowing where they're going and which areas to avoid," Wong says. Community-based programs like the Kansas City Public Safety Coalition and the KC United for Public Safety bring civic, community and business leaders together to address root causes of violence while seeking lasting solutions.
On average, homes in Kansas City, MO sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Kansas City, MO over the last 12 months is $285,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$290,000
Median Sale Price
$285,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$295,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$233,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$260,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
7,422
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$6
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$176
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
1,580
Months of Supply
2.60
Cost of Living Comparison
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Kansas City, MO
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Graden Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Hawthorn Hill Elementary School
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Niche
9
GreatSchools
#3 Rising Hill Elementary
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Niche
9
GreatSchools
#4 Shoal Creek Elementary School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#5 Horizon Elementary School
A-
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#6 Bell Prairie Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#7 Nashua Elementary School
A
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#8 Fox Hill Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#9 Cedar Creek Elementary School
A
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Walden Middle School
A-
Niche
#2 Delta Woods Middle School
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Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 Gateway 6th Grade Center
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Niche
7
GreatSchools
#4 Kearney Junior High School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#5 Smithville Middle School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#6 Lakeview Middle School
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Niche
6
GreatSchools
#7 Summit Lakes Middle School
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Niche
6
GreatSchools
#8 Lincoln College Preparatory Academy Middle School
Haley is a distinguished real estate professional with 30 years of experience in the Kansas City market. She is a member of the Compass Sports and Entertainment Division, a prestigious national network of vetted specialists dedicated to serving exclusive luxury clientele. She is also a member of REALM, a hand-selected group of real estate professionals recognized as the top 1% in the global luxury market.
Haley has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named a Real Producer in Kansas City and a Five Star Real Estate Agent each year from 2020 to 2025, reflecting her commitment to excellence and client satisfaction.
Having spent her entire life in the Kansas City area, except for a brief period away for her education, Haley possesses a comprehensive understanding of the local real estate landscape. Her family legacy in real estate runs deep, with her mother and grandparents all having been realtors. After marrying Jack, a respected real estate attorney, she launched her career by co-founding a brokerage with her mother, Sandy Spalitto, also a 30-year veteran in the field.
As the leader of a successful team of realtors, including her daughter who continues the family tradition, Haley provides personalized, hands-on service to clients at all price points throughout the Kansas City Metro area. Utilizing industry-leading Compass technology and her decades of experience, she has guided hundreds of buyers and sellers, along with developers, contractors, and business owners, offering valuable insights informed by her extensive background. Her steadfast commitment to integrity means she treats each client like family, often staying connected long after the transaction is complete.
Beyond her professional achievements, Haley is deeply involved in her community and church. She cherishes quality time with her husband and two daughters, loves outdoor activities like hiking and biking, and enjoys relaxing beach vacations in Florida.
Haley is excited to bring her expertise and dedication to help you accomplish your real estate goals.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
