2024 Ratings & Rankings
Three KC Suburbs Ranked as Best Small Cities in America
Leawood, Shawnee and Lenexa, all ranked in the 90th percentile of finest towns in the U.S., based on affordability, quality of life, education, economic health and safety. WalletHub, October 2024
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 Recognized as a Best Place to Live for Veterans
Kansas City, Missouri, ranked among the best 11 cities for veterans and retired military, offering a low cost of living, state military benefits and iconic attractions, including the National WWI Museum and Memorial. Extra Space Storage, 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 Suburb is No. 4 Best Place to Buy a House in the U.S.
Overland Park, Kansas, was named among the best places to buy a house thanks to its parks and recreation activities, strong school systems and safety rating. Norado, 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 Area Communities Rank Among Best Places to Live in the U.S.
Overland Park and Lawrence ranked in Livability's Top 100 Cities based on economy, housing and cost of living, amenities, transportation, environment, safety, education and health.
Livability, April 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 Suburb Recognized as Top 10 Economic Powerhouse
Overland Park, Kansas, landed No. 10 in Coworking Cafe's list of hardest working American cities, with very high employment rates cementing it as a "thriving economic center."
Coworking Cafe, February 2024
Three KC Area Restaurants Recognized Among Best in North America
Farina, Lidia's Kansas City and Wandering Vine at the Castle were among 98 establishments added to Distinguished Restaurants of North America's newest list.
Distinguished Restaurants of North America, February 2024
KC Suburb is One of "Happiest Cities in the U.S."
Overland Park, Kansas, boasts some of the lowest poverty, unemployment and food insecurity rates in the county, as well as abundant leisure time and high sports participation, earning it the No. 2 spot of happiest cities in the U.S.
WalletHub, February 2024
The Wall Street Journal Dubs KC a Top 10 Best Place to Visit in the World
"Even under the celebrity spotlight, the soul of the city remains intact." Offering innovative sports and entertainment options that include the Rock Island Bridge, Pennway Point and the CPKC Stadium - the first purpose-built stadium created for a women's team - Kansas City "was set to deliver the goods long before it became a fixture of gossip columns."
The Wall Street Journal, January 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
James Beard Foundation Recognizes Seven Area Restaurants and Bars
A multitude of KC establishments were named semifinalists in the 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards. The Campground, Affäre, Drastic Measures, The Town Company, Chewology, Westport Cafe and Saltwell Farm Kitchen were listed across various categories. James Beard Foundation, January 2024
Two KC-Area Cities Rank as Top Rental Markets
Kansas City, Missouri, and Overland Park, Kansas, both landed in the top 10 cities for renters to watch in 2024, both highly in-demand markets for the region's affordable cost of living and job opportunities.
RentCafe, 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