Best places to live in Kansas
What do you look for in an ideal town? Proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches? How about top-ranked schools for your children? Would you like a professional or college sports team nearby, or do you prefer museums and art walks?
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Kansas using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
On the list, there’s a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.
#10. Shawnee
- Population: 65,540
- Median home value: $237,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,008 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $87,120
- Top public schools: Olathe Northwest High School (A), Shawnee Mission Northwest High School (A), Lexington Trails Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Maranatha Academy (A), Midland Adventist Academy (B+), St. Joseph Catholic School
#9. Lenexa
- Population: 54,011
- Median home value: $260,900 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,148 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $87,102
- Top public schools: Aubry Bend Middle School (A+), Olathe Northwest High School (A), Shawnee Mission Northwest High School (A)
- Top private schools: St. James Academy (A), Christ Preparatory Academy (B), Holy Trinity Catholic School
#8. Lawrence
- Population: 96,369
- Median home value: $195,500 (45% own)
- Median rent: $924 (55% rent)
- Median household income: $53,639
- Top public schools: Lawrence Free State High School (A), Millbrooke Elementary School (A), Langston Hughes Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Bishop Seabury Academy (A+), Veritas Christian School (B+), St. John Catholic School
#7. Roeland Park
- Population: 6,769
- Median home value: $172,900 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,182 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $75,965
- Top public schools: Roesland Elementary School (A), Indian Hills Middle School (A), Highlands Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Bishop Miege High School (A), St. Agnes Elementary School, Horizon Academy
#6. Westwood
- Population: 1,657
- Median home value: $250,500 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,652 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $79,955
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (A+), Indian Hills Middle School (A), Westwood View Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Shawnee Mission Christian School (B+)
#5. Hesston
- Population: 3,803
- Median home value: $138,200 (69% own)
- Median rent: $648 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $60,286
- Top public schools: Hesston Elementary School (A-), Hesston High School (A-), Hesston Middle School (A-)
#4. Fairway
- Population: 3,960
- Median home value: $376,700 (93% own)
- Median rent: $1,363 (7% rent)
- Median household income: $111,995
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (A+), Roesland Elementary School (A), Indian Hills Middle School (A)
#3. Overland Park
- Population: 191,011
- Median home value: $276,100 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,164 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $86,487
- Top public schools: Blue Valley North High School (A+), Blue Valley High School (A+), Blue Valley West High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (A), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (A), Overland Christian Schools (B+)
#2. Leawood
- Population: 34,670
- Median home value: $463,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,619 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $157,515
- Top public schools: Blue Valley North High School (A+), Blue Valley High School (A+), Prairie Star Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Michael the Archangel School, Nativity Parish School, The Phoenix Montessori School
#1. Prairie Village
- Population: 22,170
- Median home value: $290,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,337 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $91,136
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (A+), Prairie Elementary School (A), Briarwood Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Kansas City Christian School (A), St. Ann School, Highlawn Montessori School
