Ever since Lewis and Clark camped here in the early 19th century, Kansas City’s prospects for development have been well-documented. The area grew rapidly in the late 19th century as a suburb of sister city Kansas City, Missouri, across the Missouri and Kansas rivers. Kansas City, affectionately known as KCK, is still much smaller than its Missouri neighbor, but it stands tall in its own right. It's the third-most populous city in Kansas, at 156,600 people.
Kansas City is a hub of industry, but it’s also full of outdoor recreation opportunities, a flavorful restaurant scene, strong retail attractions and an array of professional sports. “There are so many great things going on in Kansas City right now,” says Katie Strahan, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty Partners and a native of the region. “From a professional sports point of view, we’ve got the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Current and Sporting Kansas City. Having big teams brings an audience.
“We also have a lot of companies moving to Kansas City. You’ve got big ones already established, like Garmin, T-Mobile. But you’ve got Panasonic building a huge plant out in De Soto, Kansas, which has been bringing a lot more people. There seems to be a lot of bigger companies moving to this area . We’re centrally located in the United States. It's been fun to see that appeal and that draw to the city.”
Lewis & Clark point out merging Kansas & Missouri rivers at Kaw Point Park in Kansas City.
The new Kansas City Current women's soccer stadium brings large audiences to Kansas City.
Established companies like T-Mobile have headquarters near Kansas City.
Locals grab tickets to a Sporting Kansas City soccer game at Children's Mercy Park.
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Early frontier grows into a Midwest mainstay
The Kansas City housing market is competitive, partly because of a lack of inventory. The number of homes for sale across the metro area, including Kansas City, Missouri, hovered around a two-month supply in 2024, according to the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate's 2025 Kansas City housing market forecast. The forecast predicts sales are expected to increase slightly in 2025, which would break a trend of three straight years of declining sales. Listings average 33 days on the market, lower than the national average of 44. Listings in Kansas City, Kansas, specifically, are selling for about $243,000 on average, up 7% year over year. That price is slightly lower than the average of about $325,000 across the river in Kansas City, Missouri.
When available, the selection of homes that buyers may choose from around Kansas City, Kansas, dates back to the mid-to-late 19th century, in eastern neighborhoods like Strawberry Hill and Riverview. There are also a lot of houses in town built in the mid-20th century and some homes built in recent years. According to the Center for Real Estate’s forecast, new home construction in Kansas City is expected to rise slightly in 2025, and neighborhoods like Northeast and Piper have attracted it here on undeveloped land in those areas.
Kansas City has an abundant housing made up of Foursquare and bungalow style homes..
Ranch homes in Kansas City may have 3 car garages.
3 story Victorian with wrap-around porches have corner lots in Kansas City.
Raised ranches and split-level homes live on quiet shaded streets in Kansas City.
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Kansas City fosters commerce, from farming to tech
What became modern Kansas City rose in the late 19th century because of its status as an important railroad point, with stockyards and meatpacking plants. Meatpacking, transportation and agriculture are still important industries, but the region is now a major player in technology. Garmin — a maker of devices for outdoor activities, from smartwatches to marine radars — has its U.S. headquarters in Olathe, Kansas, 25 miles outside Kansas City. T-Mobile’s headquarters are in Overland Park, 20 miles from Kansas City. Panasonic is opening an electric vehicle battery factory 30 miles away in De Soto in 2025 that’s expected to add 4,000 jobs. “I think the Midwest has always had a more laidback approach,” Strahan says, on what has attracted companies and people to the area. “It’s not hustle and bustle like if you're in New York City or Chicago or Miami. I’m biased because I’m a Midwest girl. I was born and raised here. But having lived in other cities, it’s a nice place.”
Kansas City rose in the late 19th century due to its status as an important railroad point.
Garmin, a tech company has its headquarters in Olathe, 25 miles outside Kansas City.
Meatpacking plants like The Kansas City Steak Company employ many in Kansas City, Kansas.
Transportation and agriculture have remained key industries in Kansas City.
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Green space abounds in and around Kansas City
Kansas City has 40-plus parks, many overseen by the Wyandotte County/KCK Parks and Recreation department. Kaw Point Park is a 10-acre space at a spot visited by Lewis and Clark more than 200 years ago and offers a view of the Kansas City, Missouri, skyline across the water.
Wyandotte County Lake and Park is another prominent recreational option in the city, with 1,500 acres of wooded space, a 400-acre lake and 19 miles of trails. “You can have the big city life if you want it, but it doesn’t feel like you live in a big city,” Strahan says. The F.L. Schlagle Library and Environmental Center at Wyandotte has a collection of almost 3,400 items and offers a summer camp and other youth programs.
Outdoor activities can be dictated by the weather — the region experiences all four seasons. The area averages 17 inches of snow each year.
Wyandotte County Lake Park offers locals in KCK a 400-acre lake and 19 miles of trails.
The F.L. Schlagle Library is an interactive library and nature center in Kansas City.
Locals bring the family to enjoy nature, views and rivers at Kaw Point Park in Kansas City.
Wyandotte County Lake Park offers kids an amazing playground in Kansas CIty.
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Plenty to cheer for, from Chiefs to Current
Sports are a big deal in the Kansas City metro and are among the top opportunities for live entertainment in town. Major League Soccer’s Sporting KC plays its games at Children’s Mercy Park. Sporting KC won MLS Cup titles in 2000 and 2013.
Children’s Mercy Park is adjacent to Kansas Speedway, a mile-and-a-half-long tri-oval track that hosts two NASCAR Cup Series races annually, in May and September. KCK residents can also hop across the Kansas River to Kansas City, Missouri, to cheer on the perennial title contender Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium or watch Royals MLB games at next-door Kauffman Stadium.
Shoppers have the 1.2 million-square-foot Legends Outlets to explore, by Kansas Speedway and Children’s Mercy Park. This is the only designer outlet mall in the state. The tenants at Legends Outlets range from Adidas to H&M to Nike to Target.
Kansas City has a varied selection of dining options elsewhere in the city, too. Barbecue is also a critical part of the area’s dining scene. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que is one of the staples, featured on shows such as Anthony Bourdain’s "No Reservations" and the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food.” Joe’s original location is still housed in a facility that doubles as a gas station.
Locals and visitors watch the Royals MLB games at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.
Spots like Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que offer local favorites in Kansas City.
The Legends entertainment area has outlet shops, restaurants, a movie theater and more.
NASCAR Cup Series races are enjoyed annually at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City.
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Locals can ride around KC with RideKC
The Kansas City Regional Transit system, also known as RideKC, services the entire Kansas City metropolitan area. There are myriad RideKC bus stops and a dozen bus routes around KCK, including across the border to Kansas City, Missouri.
Drivers can use Interstate 670 to quickly get across the Kansas River and over to Kansas City, Missouri. I-70 is another option for crossing state lines. I-70 can also be used to trek to Topeka, the capital of Kansas, about 61 away. The interstate also connects to I-335 for trips to Wichita, the state’s most populous city, roughly 200 miles southwest. Kansas City International Airport is about a 20-mile trip.
KCK holds an educational distinction
Kansas City is home to The University of Kansas Medical Center main campus, a 41-acre facility that includes KU’s School of Medicine, the only medical school in Kansas. The KU Medical Center has more than 900 staffed beds.
The city’s main public school district is the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools system. The district carries a C overall rating on Niche.
Kansas City is home to The University of Kansas Medical Center & KU's School of Medicine.
Wyandotte High School prepares each student for future college and careers in Kansas City.
Turner Middle School is top-rated middle school in Kansas City, KS.
Kansas City's Turner Sixth Grade Academy is home to many sixth grade students.
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Crime
According to Kansas City, Kansas Police Department statistics, overall crime in the area dropped a little under 19% year-over-year through early December 2024. That includes an almost 25% drop in violent crime and a nearly 21% decrease in theft.
As a Kansas City native and veteran, Katy loves helping her clients discover what they love most about their amazing city. Her exceptional market knowledge, combined with her seasoned insider’s expertise, having built and sold numerous properties throughout the area, make Katy the unequivocal go-to resource for all real estate needs. As a top producer, her goal is to treat others as she would like to be treated, from listening to their needs to going above and beyond in helping them to achieve their goals. Most importantly, honor, integrity and relationships built on trust make Katy well respected and liked by her loyal clients and industry peers. Katy holds a license in both Kansas and Missouri, actively selling real estate since 1996. She is very involved in the community and in the real estate industry, both locally, and at the state level.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
