Published September 15, 2025

Most Asked Questions About Moving to Kansas City (2025)

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Written by Moving To KC Team

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Table of Contents

  1. How Much Does It Really Cost to Live Here?
  2. Kansas vs. Missouri: Which Side Should You Pick?
  3. The Job Market Reality Check (Spoiler: It's Good)
  4. Let's Talk Weather (Yes, It Gets Weird)
  5. Do You Actually Need a Car?
  6. Neighborhoods That Actually Matter
  7. School Situation: The Good, Bad, and Surprising
  8. Safety Talk: What the Numbers Really Say
  9. Why Kansas City Is Having a Cultural Renaissance
  10. The Downsides Nobody Mentions
  11. Internet, Healthcare, and Other Practical Stuff
  12. Final Reality Check: Is KC Right for You?

1. How Much Does It Really Cost to Live Here?

Here's what everyone wants to know first: Kansas City is legitimately affordable in ways that will shock you if you're coming from a coastal city.

The housing reality:

Everything else is cheaper too:

Translation: if you're making the same salary you made elsewhere, you're getting an instant raise just by moving here.

2. Kansas vs. Missouri: Which Side Should You Pick?

This confuses everyone. Kansas City spans both states, and yes, it matters which side you choose.

Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO):

  • The "real" Kansas City with 512K people
  • Downtown, most attractions, the action
  • Tax hit: 0-4.8% state income tax + 1% local KC earnings tax + 8.39% average sales tax
  • Plus Missouri taxes your groceries (one of only 12 states that do this)

Kansas City, Kansas (KCK):

  • 153K people, more suburban feel
  • Better schools overall, especially in Johnson County
  • Tax trade-off: Higher income tax (5.2-5.58%) but no local earnings tax

Bottom line: Kansas side = better schools and suburbs, Missouri side = more urban energy and culture. Your taxes will be different either way, so factor that into your housing budget.

3. The Job Market Reality Check (Spoiler: It's Good)

Kansas City's economy is absolutely booming right now, and the numbers prove it:

What's actually happening:

Tech salaries that might surprise you:

Big employers expanding: Fiserv (2,000-job fintech hub), H&R Block, Hallmark, Garmin, Saint Luke's Health.

The job market isn't just good — it's one of the best-kept secrets in the country.

4. Let's Talk Weather (Yes, It Gets Weird)

Kansas City weather is... an adventure. Here's what you're signing up for:

The seasons hit different:

  • Summer: Hot and humid, upper 80s to low 90s. You'll sweat.
  • Fall: Absolutely gorgeous (October averages 57°F). This is why people love it here.
  • Winter: Cold with occasional ice storms. January averages 26°F, 10-20 inches of snow.
  • Spring: Beautiful but can bring severe weather, including the occasional tornado.

Real talk: You'll experience 20-40°F temperature swings in a single day. Layer up. The severe weather isn't as bad as movies make it seem, but ice storms are real and can shut down the city for a day or two.

Most people end up loving the distinct seasons. Just invest in a good ice scraper and learn to drive in winter conditions.

5. Do You Actually Need a Car?

Short answer: Yes, but it's getting better fast.

Current reality:

  • Kansas City was built for cars, period
  • Average commute: 22.9 minutes (ranks 14th nationally — way better than most cities)
  • Traffic speed: 27.5 mph average (you're not sitting in gridlock)

What's changing:

Bottom line: You need a car now, but the city is investing heavily in alternatives. Plus your commute will be shorter and less stressful than most major metros.

6. Neighborhoods That Actually Matter

Kansas City has 240+ neighborhoods, but here are the ones newcomers actually consider:

For families (Kansas side — premium schools):

  • **Leawood:** Upscale ($675K median), Town Center Plaza, top schools
  • Overland Park: Family-friendly ($475K median), planned communities, excellent schools
  • Olathe: Growing fast ($425K median), newer developments
  • Prairie Village: Great value ($213K median), 19 excellent public schools

For young professionals (Missouri side — more culture):

  • Crossroads Arts District: Hip lofts, galleries, walkable nightlife
  • River Market: Historic downtown, streetcar accessible
  • **Brookside:** Tree-lined streets ($475K median), farmers market, walkable shops
  • Westport: Entertainment hub, restaurants, nightlife

For budget-conscious:

  • Waldo: Quirky ($175K-$582K range), local breweries, dive bars, Waldo Pizza
  • North Kansas City: Growing area (up 20.7%), strong community

Historic charm:

  • Hyde Park: Beautiful historic homes
  • 18th & Vine: Historic jazz district
  • Armour Hills: Established neighborhood ($340K-$740K range)

Reality check: The Kansas side generally has better schools and newer development. The Missouri side has more character and cultural energy. Pick based on your priorities.

7. School Situation: The Good, Bad, and Surprising

The school quality varies dramatically depending on where you live:

Top performers (2025 data):

Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) — the surprising turnaround:

  • Full accreditation for three consecutive years (big deal after decades of problems)
  • Graduation rate: 79% (approaching their 80% goal)
  • Enrollment growth: 14,000+ students for third straight year
  • Still below state averages, but the trend is clearly upward

Charter school excellence:

  • Academie Lafayette: #2 performance score among Missouri's 550+ districts/charters
  • Lincoln College Prep: #3 statewide
  • Sumner Academy (KCK): Kansas state leader

Higher education thriving:

Bottom line: Kansas side = consistently excellent schools. Missouri side = improving fast but research specific districts.

8. Safety Talk: What the Numbers Really Say

Let's be honest about this: Kansas City has crime challenges, and you need to know the real situation.

The numbers (2025):

What the city's doing about it:

  • Public safety budget: $688M (72.7% of city budget)
  • Police staffing: 1,869 officers (4.0 per 1,000 residents vs 3.2 nationally)
  • Pay increases: Boosted starting salary 30% to $65K, funding 150 new recruits

Real talk: Tourist areas and business districts are generally safe during the day. Suburban areas have much lower crime rates. Do your homework on specific neighborhoods, and trust your instincts about areas that don't feel right.

Crime is Kansas City's biggest challenge, but the city is investing heavily to address it.

9. Why Kansas City Is Having a Cultural Renaissance

Here's what people don't expect: Kansas City punches way above its weight culturally.

World-class institutions:

  • Nelson-Atkins Museum: Internationally renowned, stunning sculpture park
  • National WWI Museum: America's leading Great War institution
  • American Jazz Museum: In the historic 18th & Vine District where jazz was born
  • Kauffman Center: Symphony, opera, theater performances

The parks system is incredible:

Food scene that's legitimately world-class:

  • 100+ BBQ restaurants (Kansas City-style means everything gets sauce)
  • Diverse international cuisine: Amazing Somali and Congolese food thanks to refugee communities
  • Craft brewery boom: Boulevard Brewing plus numerous local spots

Sports passion:

  • Chiefs: NFL dominance at Arrowhead Stadium
  • Royals: MLB at Kauffman Stadium
  • Sporting Kansas City: MLS soccer at Children's Mercy Park
  • KC Current: Women's soccer in their own dedicated stadium
  • Kansas City Monarchs: Professional baseball (American Association)
  • UMKC Kangaroos: NCAA Division I athletics (basketball, soccer, baseball)
  • Kansas Jayhawks: Just 45 minutes away in Lawrence (Big 12 powerhouse basketball)

What's coming:

The cultural scene here rivals cities twice KC's size.

10. The Downsides Nobody Mentions

Every city has problems, and KC's are worth knowing upfront:

The realistic challenges:

  • You really do need a car (public transit improving but not there yet)
  • Weather extremes: Ice storms can shut down the city, severe spring weather, hot humid summers
  • Crime rates significantly higher than national averages
  • Educational gaps: Urban schools still lag suburban districts
  • Airport limitations: Fewer direct flights, especially international
  • Allergy hell: Pollen counts can be brutal in spring
  • Infrastructure gaps: Some areas still lack good broadband despite Google Fiber expansion

The hidden costs:

  • Car insurance, winter weather gear, potential private school costs if you're in certain districts
  • Higher sales tax if you're on the Missouri side (and they tax groceries!)

These aren't dealbreakers for most people, but they're real considerations.

11. Internet, Healthcare, and Other Practical Stuff

Internet (this might be KC's best-kept secret):

Healthcare:

  • Saint Luke's: 10 hospitals, U.S. News ranked, Level I trauma center
  • University of Kansas Health System: Major academic medical center
  • Recent merger: BJC-Saint Luke's created $10B system (economists warn this could increase prices 5-10%)
  • Costs: Generally below national averages, excellent specialist access

Pet-friendly perks:

  • Consistently ranked among America's most pet-friendly cities
  • Numerous off-leash dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants and shops
  • 38 miles of trails perfect for dog walking
  • Affordable veterinary care

Tax situation recap:

  • Missouri: Lower income tax but local earnings tax + higher sales tax + grocery tax
  • Kansas: Higher income tax but no local earnings tax, cleaner overall structure

12. Final Reality Check: Is KC Right for You?

Kansas City in 2025 is a city in the middle of a major transformation. With $106B+ in corporate investments, housing costs 40%+ below national averages, and major infrastructure expansions underway, the timing couldn't be better.

Kansas City makes sense if you want:

  • ✅ Genuine affordability without sacrificing urban amenities
  • ✅ Short commutes (22.9 minutes average) and manageable traffic
  • ✅ Strong job market with growing tech sector
  • ✅ World-class cultural scene (jazz, BBQ, museums, sports)
  • ✅ Midwest friendliness with big-city opportunities
  • ✅ Excellent internet (Google Fiber birthplace)
  • ✅ Great place to raise a family or start a career
  • ✅ Four seasons with gorgeous fall weather

Kansas City probably isn't for you if:

  • ❌ You need extensive public transportation right now
  • ❌ You want to avoid all severe weather
  • ❌ You're concerned about higher crime rates
  • ❌ You need major international airport connectivity
  • ❌ You prefer consistent year-round mild weather
  • ❌ You want walkable urban living without ever needing a car

The bottom line: Kansas City offers something increasingly rare in America — genuine affordability in a city that's actually growing and improving. The combination of economic opportunity, cultural richness, and Midwest values creates a quality of life that's hard to find elsewhere.

But here's the thing: the city is changing fast. Where you choose to live now could look very different in 5-10 years as major projects come online.

👉 Ready to explore your options? The Kansas City market moves quickly, and knowing which neighborhoods align with your goals matters. Book a call with our team, and we'll help you find your place in KC's future.

Sources & References

Housing & Real Estate Data:

Economic & Employment Data:

Population & Demographics:

Transportation & Infrastructure:

Education:

Safety & Crime:

Cost of Living & Taxes:

Internet & Technology:

Healthcare:

Parks & Recreation:

Cultural & Entertainment:

Data compiled September 2025. Housing prices, salaries, and other statistics reflect most recent available data and may vary by specific location and timing.

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