Best places to live in Kansas

Written by:
Stacker
April 16, 2024
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Best places to live in Kansas

An ideal town or neighborhood looks different for everyone.

Those who can't get enough of the outdoors may prioritize proximity to trails, lakes, and beaches, while parents are looking for places with top-ranked schools for their children. Culture lovers might want to live in a city with museums and art walks, whereas sports fans look for professional or college sports teams nearby.

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.

CORRECTION: A previously published version of this piece, in some cases, incorrectly listed private schools as public schools.

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#30. Shawnee, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 948
- 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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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#29. Westwood, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 740
- 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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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#28. Tomahawk Ridge, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 2,292
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#27. Historic Overland Park, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 2,270
- Population: 2,039
- Median household income: $69,857
- Median home value: $205,820 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,360 (23% 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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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#26. Rockhurst, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 2,121
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:

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#25. Kenilworth, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 2,099
- Population: data not available
- Median household income: data not available
- Median home value: data not available (data not available own)
- Median rent: data not available (data not available rent)
- Top public schools:
- Top private schools:

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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#24. South Lake, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 2,054
- Population: 1,560
- Median household income: $69,931
- Median home value: $196,400 (30% own)
- Median rent: $1,369 (70% 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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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#23. Wycliff, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,907
- Population: 1,620
- Median household income: $74,592
- Median home value: $322,600 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,096 (30% 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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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#22. Forest Hills, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,856
- Population: 2,156
- Median household income: $61,250
- Median home value: $231,600 (41% own)
- Median rent: $1,148 (59% rent)
- Top public schools: Stone Creek Elementary (grade A minus), 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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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#21. Gramercy Park, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,753
- Population: 1,504
- Median household income: $77,412
- Median home value: $216,600 (87% own)
- Median rent: No data available (13% 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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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#20. Prairie View, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,721
- Population: 1,435
- Median household income: $79,895
- Median home value: $206,462 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,526 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A), Prairie 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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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#19. Manhattan, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,663
- Population: 54,287
- Median household income: $55,316
- Median home value: $242,300 (40% own)
- Median rent: $977 (60% rent)
- Top public schools: Manhattan High School (grade A), Rock Creek Middle School (grade A), Amanda Arnold Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Francis Xavier Catholic School (grade B+), Flint Hills Christian School (grade B minus), Manhattan Catholic School (grade unavailable)

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imtmphoto // Shutterstock

#18. Sylvan Grove, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,501
- Population: 1,013
- Median household income: $103,295
- Median home value: $262,700 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,683 (8% 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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oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#17. Hesston, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,464
- Population: 3,703
- Median household income: $67,333
- Median home value: $168,200 (63% own)
- Median rent: $654 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Hesston Elementary School (grade A minus), Hesston High School (grade A minus), Hesston Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Elyria Christian School (grade C+), St. Mary Catholic School (grade unavailable), Newton Bible Christian School (grade unavailable)

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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#16. Milburn West, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,453
- Population: 1,118
- Median household income: $88,286
- Median home value: $258,900 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,801 (4% 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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#15. Bel-Air, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,314
- Population: 1,520
- Median household income: $133,254
- Median home value: $327,245 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,281 (11% 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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Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Regency Park, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,271
- Population: 1,947
- Median household income: $52,576
- Median home value: $202,100 (31% own)
- Median rent: $1,230 (69% 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: The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)

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#13. Lawrence, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 1,046
- Population: 95,103
- Median household income: $59,834
- Median home value: $247,300 (44% own)
- Median rent: $1,038 (56% rent)
- Top public schools: Canyon Creek Elementary School (grade A), Langston Hughes Elementary School (grade A), Quail Run Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Bishop Seabury Academy (grade A+), St. James Academy (grade A), Veritas Christian School (grade B+)

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#12. Cherokee Hills, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 965
- Population: 2,420
- Median household income: $78,820
- Median home value: $266,128 (30% own)
- Median rent: $1,145 (70% 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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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Moody Hills, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 961
- Population: 1,583
- Median household income: $131,290
- Median home value: $274,080 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,956 (15% 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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#10. Highland Plains, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 873
- Population: 3,078
- Median household income: $113,960
- Median home value: $287,451 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,685 (14% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Canyon Creek 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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RossHelen // Shutterstock

#9. Apple Valley Estates, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 794
- Population: 1,353
- Median household income: $151,657
- Median home value: $403,219 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,594 (9% 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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YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#8. Courtland, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 436
- Population: 1,009
- Median household income: $131,413
- Median home value: $312,329 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,149 (10% rent)
- Top public schools: Stone Creek Elementary (grade A minus), 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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Jacek Chabraszewski // Shutterstock

#7. Oak Park, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 371
- Population: 7,329
- Median household income: $98,454
- Median home value: $307,188 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,146 (25% 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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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. College Hill, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 355
- Population: 4,777
- Median household income: $99,728
- Median home value: $231,858 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,164 (39% rent)
- Top public schools: Stone Creek Elementary (grade A minus), 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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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#5. Pinehurst Estates, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 304
- Population: 1,992
- Median household income: $106,475
- Median home value: $351,217 (28% own)
- Median rent: $1,079 (72% 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: The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#4. Pinehurst, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 218
- Population: 1,250
- Median household income: $109,372
- Median home value: $297,570 (95% own)
- Median rent: $782 (5% 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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Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#3. Hanover, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 173
- Population: 1,293
- Median household income: $141,250
- Median home value: $321,900 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,115 (4% 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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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#2. Nall Hills, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 98
- Population: 4,604
- Median household income: $109,271
- Median home value: $301,270 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,206 (13% 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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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#1. Beverly Estates, Kansas

- Overall Rank: 56
- Population: 2,896
- Median household income: $113,791
- Median home value: $352,470 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,021 (8% rent)
- Top public schools: Shawnee Mission East High School (grade A), Indian Hills Middle School (grade A), Briarwood 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+)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 42 states.

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