Regional Ratings and Rankings

Nine Best Towns in Kansas to Retire Comfortably
Spring Hill ranks among one of the more affordable retirement locations within Kansas. WorldAtlas, July 2025

KC a Top Midwestern Metro for Millennials
The KC metro earned top marks for a growing millennial population, cost of living under the national benchmark and a largest share of educated millennials. CommercialCafe, June 2025.

KC is a Top 10 City for Recent Grads
Kansas City is a strong choice for young professionals, supported by steady educational attainment, consistent early-career job opportunities and a vibrant lifestyle with growing leisure and coworking options. CoworkingCafe, June 2025.

Kansas City Named a Top 3 Metro for Working Moms
Kansas City ranked among the top three large U.S. metro areas for working moms and second among major Midwest MSAs, recognized for strong employer-based health insurance coverage, affordable childcare relative to family income and an overall low cost of living. CoworkingCafe, April 2025.

Paola listed as one of eight friendliest towns in Kansas.
Kansas may be known for its wide-open skies and golden wheat fields. However, it is the people in its small towns who truly make it special. Scattered across the state are little communities where neighbors lend a hand without being asked, where festivals bring the whole town together, and where history is still shared over pie at the local diner. World Atlas, April 2025

Report says these 10 Kansas counties have the most wealthy residents. Miami County ranks second.
SmartAsset used sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, real estate site Zillow and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to compile the ranking. The three metrics considered included investment income, property value and median income. The most recent ranking reflects data from 2024, the finance website says. Kansas City Star, March 2025

Kansas City Makes National Top 10 Hottest Housing Markets
Metrics including relative affordability, city construction and population growth landed KC as No. 8 on Zillow’s national housing market list. Zillow, January 2025.

KC is a Top 25 Travel Destination in the World
Kansas City is "making 2025 its glow-up year," recognized by the BBC for its vibrant culture, booming infrastructure and attractive amenities. BBC, January 2025.

KC named a Top 10 Housing Hot Spot
The KC metro is one of three Midwestern cities to make the national list. Factors such as the average mortgage rate, job growth and net migration influenced the ranking. The National Association of Realtors, January, 2025

Kansas City International Airport Makes List of World's Most Beautiful Airports
Kansas City's airport landed on Prix Versailles' list recognizing six projects across five countries that earn distinction for their aesthetic qualities. Prix Versailles, September 2024

Kansas City International Airport Ranked No. 3 Large Airport
Based on thousands of customer surveys, KCI Airport ranked among the top in its category for overall customer satisfaction in the 2024 J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study. J.D. Power, September 2024

KC Ranks No. 2 Most Cost-Effective Tech Market in the U.S.
KC is a highly competitive cost market for tech companies according to the annual CBRE Scoring Tech Talent Report. The study measured large metros with >50,000 tech workers and the markets costs for wages and office rent, which are the two most significant costs for a company. CBRE Scoring Tech Talent, August 2024

KC Ranks No. 1 in the U.S. for “Green Infrastructure”
Based on six metrics related to air pollution, tree coverage, green building certification and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Kansas City scores highest for smarter sustainability in the country. ProptechOS, 2024

KC Area Hospital Ranks as No. 1 in Kansas for 13th Consecutive Year
U.S. News and World Report’s annual health evaluations ranked The University of Kansas Health System as the best hospital in both Kansas and Kansas City, with national rankings in six specialties based on survival rates for complex cases, patient experience and more. U.S. News and World Report, July 2024.

Two KC spots are among Time's World’s Greatest Places of 2024
TIME magazine has recognized Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium and the Rabbit hOle as two of the World’s Greatest Places of 2024, alongside destinations like Four Seasons resorts in Thailand and Grand Hotels on the Amalfi Coast. Time, July 2024

KC Ranks in Top 10 U.S. Cities for Gen Z
Kansas City was ranked as a Top 10 city in the US for Gen Z, noted by KC’s affordability, great career prospects, and below-average internet costs. Commercial Cafe, July 2024

KCI Ranks in Top 10 on Travel + Leisure U.S. Airport List
After just a year since the terminal upgrade, Kansas City International Airport was recognized by travel magazine, Travel + Leisure as one of the top 10 airports in the United States. The assessment was based on overall access, check-in/security, restaurants/bars, shopping and design. Travel + Leisure, July 2024

KC Ranks in Top 10 Best Markets for First-Time Home Buyers
Available inventory and better cost of living create an ideal environment for first-time home buyers in KC. Zillow, April 2024

KC Airport Wins 4 "Best Of" Industry Awards
The single-terminal Kansas City International Airport, opened in February 2023, was recognized at AXN’s 2024 Airport Experience Awards for Best Casual Dining Concept (Brown & Loe), Best Passenger Service (Directors Cut Take II), Best Local Inspired Restaurant (The Kansas City BBQ Experience) and Best Overall Program, which recognizes an airport’s excellence in food, retail and services options. Airport Experience News, April 2024

KC is No. 1 City for Dog Owners
The only city to score a perfect 100, Kansas City is the overall best city in the nation for pet owners, in part thanks to its status as the second best city for both dog and cat veterinary costs. Forbes, April 2024

KC is No. 1 Emerging Data Center Market in the World
In their 2024 Global Data Center Market Comparison, Cushman & Wakefield named Kansas City as the No. 1 emerging market in the world because of factors including power/land availability and price, fiber connectivity, renewable power options, regulation and environmental risk. Cushman & Wakefield, March 2024

KC is No. 2 Market for Family Affordability
Zillow’s analysis found KC as the No. 2 market for affordability for families based how much income is spent on a mortgage and childcare. Zillow, February 2024

KC Lands on New York Times' List of 52 Places to Go in 2024
KC was recognized as a "heartland hub" for soccer fans, bookworms and adventurers alike. The New York Times, January 2024

Looking to Buy a Home? You Can in KC.
As home prices rise across the country, Kansas City ranks among cities with the "lowest barrier to homeownership," boasting a more favorable median household income compared to the median asking price. RealtyHop, January 2024

KC Ranks on Travel+Leisure's "50 Best Places to Travel in 2024"
Come for the barbecue and jazz - stay for the sports and entertainment. From a host of historical spots and local foodie havens to innovative new entertainment districts and groundbreaking stadiums, KC is a must-see for travelers. Travel+Leisure, January 2024