Cities may have the nightlife, but the convenience and affordability of the suburbs are becoming hot as the millennial generation moves into its homebuying phase. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook up workplace norms and superheated the housing market, folks have been flocking away from major urban centers.
In Colorado, for instance, lesser-known suburbs outside of Denver such as Boulder have become magnets for young parents, ranking among the biggest destinations for out-of-state millennials who chose to move in 2023. And companies are taking note of the trend as well: Many are establishing satellite offices and new headquarters in less urban areas.
Stacker compiled a list of the best suburbs to live in Kansas using data from Niche's 2024 Best Places to Live. Niche ranks places to live based on an array of factors, including the cost of living, educational level of residents, housing costs, and quality of schools.
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1 / 21#21. Derby, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 2,417
- Population: 25,551
- Median household income: $79,581
- Median home value: $210,600 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,073 (32% rent)
- Top public schools: Stone Creek Elementary (grade A minus), Park Hill Elementary School (grade B+), Derby North Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Wichita Collegiate School (grade A+), The Independent School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A minus)
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2 / 21#20. Lansing, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 2,094
- Population: 11,254
- Median household income: $100,863
- Median home value: $233,900 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,173 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Lakeview Middle School (grade A minus), Platte City Middle School (grade A minus), Lansing Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Sacred Heart School (grade unavailable), St. Patrick School (grade unavailable), Xavier Catholic School (grade unavailable)
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3 / 21#19. Merriam, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,680
- Population: 11,070
- Median household income: $69,414
- Median home value: $229,000 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,117 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Wolf Springs Elementary School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A), Summit Trail Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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4 / 21#18. Andover, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,657
- Population: 15,460
- Median household income: $113,538
- Median home value: $261,000 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,565 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Wheatland Elementary School (grade A), Robert M. Martin Elementary School (grade A), Andover Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Wichita Collegiate School (grade A+), The Independent School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A minus)
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5 / 21#17. De Soto, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,641
- Population: 6,248
- Median household income: $102,685
- Median home value: $352,500 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,003 (33% rent)
- Top public schools: Lexington Trails Middle School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A), Mize Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (grade A), Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (grade A)
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6 / 21#16. Maize, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,607
- Population: 6,071
- Median household income: $88,075
- Median home value: $217,800 (55% own)
- Median rent: $1,232 (45% rent)
- Top public schools: Maize Central Elementary School (grade A minus), Maize South High School (grade A minus), Pray-Woodman Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Trinity Academy (grade A minus), Classical School of Wichita (grade A minus), Life Preparatory Academy (grade A minus)
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7 / 21#15. Kechi, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,412
- Population: 2,949
- Median household income: $103,625
- Median home value: $250,200 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,607 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Abilene Elementary School (grade A), Bostic Traditional Magnet Elementary School (grade A minus), Northeast Magnet High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Wichita Collegiate School (grade A+), The Independent School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A minus)
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8 / 21#14. Bel Aire, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,281
- Population: 8,341
- Median household income: $91,979
- Median home value: $188,000 (78% own)
- Median rent: $1,418 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Wheatland Elementary School (grade A), Andover Middle School (grade A), Andover High School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Wichita Collegiate School (grade A+), The Independent School (grade A+), Trinity Academy (grade A minus)
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9 / 21#13. North Newton, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 1,050
- Population: 2,105
- Median household income: $95,221
- Median home value: $197,600 (66% own)
- Median rent: $828 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Newton Senior High School (grade B minus), Northridge Elementary School (grade C+), Walton Rural Life Center (grade C+)
- Top private schools: Berean Academy (grade B+), Elyria Christian School (grade C+), St. Mary Catholic School (grade unavailable)
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10 / 21#12. Lake Quivira, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 985
- Population: 994
- Median household income: $166,875
- Median home value: $692,600 (97% own)
- Median rent: No data available (3% rent)
- Top public schools: Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A), Shawnee Mission Northwest High School (grade A), Summit Trail Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (grade A), Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (grade A)
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11 / 21#11. Mission, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 922
- Population: 9,894
- Median household income: $78,915
- Median home value: $248,600 (47% own)
- Median rent: $1,141 (53% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Wolf Springs Elementary School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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12 / 21#10. Mission Hills, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 802
- Population: 3,567
- Median household income: $250,001
- Median home value: $1,159,900 (100% own)
- Median rent: No data available (% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Prairie Elementary School (grade A), Indian Hills Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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13 / 21#9. Roeland Park, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 793
- Population: 6,848
- Median household income: $84,848
- Median home value: $241,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,393 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A), Indian Hills Middle School (grade A), Highlands Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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14 / 21#8. Olathe, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 704
- Population: 142,114
- Median household income: $108,077
- Median home value: $317,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,229 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Blue Valley West High School (grade A+), Morse Elementary School (grade A+), Timber Creek Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)
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15 / 21#7. Shawnee, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 509
- Population: 67,671
- Median household income: $100,649
- Median home value: $306,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,168 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Lexington Trails Middle School (grade A), Wolf Springs Elementary School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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16 / 21#6. Lenexa, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 486
- Population: 57,497
- Median household income: $101,074
- Median home value: $348,600 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,373 (43% rent)
- Top public schools: Lexington Trails Middle School (grade A), Wolf Springs Elementary School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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17 / 21#5. Fairway, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 409
- Population: 4,162
- Median household income: $154,981
- Median home value: $563,300 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,837 (13% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Indian Hills Middle School (grade A), Highlands Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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18 / 21#4. Westwood, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 397
- Population: 1,829
- Median household income: $91,477
- Median home value: $368,700 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,839 (20% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Indian Hills Middle School (grade A), Westwood View Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)
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19 / 21#3. Prairie Village, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 156
- Population: 22,922
- Median household income: $99,691
- Median home value: $373,300 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,564 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Wolf Springs Elementary School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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20 / 21#2. Overland Park, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 155
- Population: 196,676
- Median household income: $100,876
- Median home value: $361,800 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,378 (38% rent)
- Top public schools: Blue Valley North High School (grade A+), Blue Valley High School (grade A+), Blue Valley West High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
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21 / 21#1. Leawood, Kansas
- Overall Rank: 88
- Population: 33,784
- Median household income: $174,779
- Median home value: $592,700 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,872 (9% rent)
- Top public schools: Blue Valley North High School (grade A+), Blue Valley High School (grade A+), Overland Trail Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 40 states.
