2021 Ratings & Rankings
KC Communities Rank High in LGBTQ+ Equality
In the 2021 Municipal Equality Index - which examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there - Kansas City, Missouri, scored a perfect 100. Additionally, Overland Park, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas, each earned a score of 93 out of 100. Human Rights Campaign, November 2021
KC is a Top Winter Vacation Destination
The KC region lands in the top 10 of WalletHub's cold-weather vacation spots. WalletHub, November 2021
KC-area High Schools Earn A's
Niche's annual list of best public high schools gave A or A+ grades to 24 public high schools in the KC region, with eight schools landing in the top 5% of public high schools nationally. Niche, October 2021
KC Has "Bean" There, Done That
KC recently snagged a spot in the top 50 cities for "Best Coffee Cities in America," based on factors such as number of coffee shops and average price of a pack of coffee. WalletHub, September 2021
KC Recognized Again as a Top-Tier Spot for Remote Work
Kansas City, Missouri landed on HigherVisibility's list of "Best Places to Remote Work in America with a Population of Under a Million," which was compiled based on number of green spaces, average broadband speed, amount of coffee shops, the average house rent and house prices as well as WiFi hotspots. HigherVisibility, August 2021
KC Scores High in Equitable Access to Public Parks
In the 2021 Trust for Public Land Report, KC scored 81/100 on the newly added Equity category, which recognizes how well a city is providing equal access to park space across races and income-levels. The Trust for Public Land, July 2021
KC Achieves Top Ranking as Friendliest City for First-Time Homebuyers
With low down payments and down payment percentages, a recent study from Lending Tree found Kansas City, MO to be the #1 metro for first-time homebuyers. Kansas City Business Journal, July 2021
Kansas Lands in Top Cities for Remote Work
Kansas tied for #4 in CNBC's "Best States for Remote Work," thanks to low cost of living and environmental quality. CNBC, July 2021
Children's Mercy Recognized as a Top Pediatric Hospital
Children's Mercy Kansas City was recently named in the 2021-2022 "Best Children's Hospitals" report, recognizing it among the best in the country in multiple pediatric specialities. Children's Mercy Kansas City, June 2021
Overland Park Named Best Place to Raise a Family
Thanks to high median income and affordability, Overland Park, Kansas has been recognized as the best place in the United States to raise a family. Wallet Hub, June 2021
KC Ranks in Top Cities for Tech Industry Job Growth
Kansas City added the third highest percentage of tech jobs anywhere in the United States in 2020, behind only Austin and San Francisco. KC Tech Council, May 2021
KC Communities Rank High in U.S. Cities Where Women Are Most Successful
Overland Park, Kansas; Olathe, Kansas; and Kansas City, Missouri, all rank among the top U.S. cities for successful women, recognizing the KC area’s high percentage of educated women and female entrepreneurship. SmartAsset, April 2021
Hotel Kansas City Makes Global ‘Best New Hotels’ List
Recognized among hotels located in 29 countries, Hotel Kansas City was established as a men’s social club at the turn of the 20th century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel features Gothic Revival architecture and is located near Kansas City’s popular Power & Light District. Travel + Leisure, April 2021
Kansas City Among Nation’s Best-Paying Metros for Recent College Grads
KC is recognized as the No. 3 location in the U.S. for young professionals due to its median entry-level job earnings, cost of living and percentage of recent graduates living in the metro. Self Financial, March 2021
KC Named Top 10 for Net Migration Gains
The Kansas City region ranks No. 8 among 38 major metros for the largest migration gains since the start of the pandemic. Top regions listed offer strong affordability, manageable housing prices and spacious geography. LinkedIn, March 2021
Lee’s Summit Ranks Among Most Livable Small Cities
Coming in No. 12 out of 291 cities across the country, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is recognized for its concentration of entertainment establishments, restaurants, bars and health care options, home affordability, unemployment rate and average commute time. SmartAsset, March 2021
Four KC Communities Named Best Cities to Live in America
Kansas City, Missouri; Leawood, Kansas; Overland Park, Kansas; and Prairie Village, Kansas, all rank among the top places to live in the country for their affordable cost of living, number of job opportunities, local amenities and more. Niche, March 2021
The Best Work-From-Home Cities for 2021
Lenexa ranks as one of the "Best Work-From-Home Cities for 2021" by PC Mag thanks to affordability, livability and more. PC Mag, February 2021
The New York Times Highlights KC Cost of Living
See how a $699,000, five-bedroom house within a short distance to amenities including The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art stacks up against homes in Pennsylvania and California. The New York Times, February 2021
Cities with the Most Technology Jobs Per Capita
Kansas City ranks No. 14 in the large metro category in Spanning Backup's "Cities with the Most Technology Jobs Per Capita" list thanks to employment in computer and math occupations, median annual wage and more. Spanning Backup, January 2021
KC Region Ranks as a Best-Paying City for Millennials
Featuring a strong median income and a cost of living 7% below the national average, the region ranked as one of the best spots for working millennials.
MSN, January 2021
Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2021
Location, rentals, generosity and more ranked Kansas City one of the “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker 2021” by MovieMaker for the second year in a row. MovieMaker, January 2021
KC Named a Top City for Millennials to Call Home
Citing winning sports teams, thriving job growth and the natural and architectural beauty of the city, Kansas City, Missouri was named a top city for millennials.
Neighborhood Loans, January 2021
KC Ranks No. 1 Best City in the U.S. for Remote Work
The KC region is the top location in the country for remote work for its cost of living, Wi-Fi speed, co-working spaces, and coffee shops per capita. Lonely Planet, January 2021
KC Included as a Prime Location for Travel
KC joins Travel + Leisure's list of "50 Best Places to Travel in 2021," noting the area's many phenomenal eateries, breweries, museums and more. Travel + Leisure, December 2020