
Is Kansas City in Kansas, or is it in Missouri? It’s kind of both. Both are individually incorporated cities, but together they make up the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.
Long ago, in the 1830s, KCMO got started as a trade outpost to fit hunters with furs and traps. Now, that’s morphed into manufacturing and it dabbles in tech, transportation and healthcare. For visitors, it’s better known for LEGOLAND, the National World War I Museum, tons of art galleries and museums, the Airline History Museum, too many fountains to count and, of course, Kansas City barbecue.
The concentration of barbecue alone is enough to focus on, as Kansas City has the most barbecue restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. Characterized by burnt ends with extra flavor, and a thicker-than-most tomato-based sweet barbecue sauce smothered on the smoked meat (not on the side!), Kansas City barbecue has made a name for itself for obvious reasons.
Residents cheer on several pro sports teams, like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Current.
The Kansas City metro area has 2.34 million residents. The median age is 35 years old and the median household earns about $55,000. With a whopping 240 neighborhoods making up the city, there’s plenty of variety and subcultures to add to the spice of life for Kansas City residents. Here are 15 of the up-and-coming best neighborhoods in Kansas City for 2022.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,135
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,410
- Walk score: 48/100
Constructed in the 1920s, Brookside has that beloved historical feeling. But throw in a couple of community staples, like festivals, parades and fairs, and you’ve got a local color you can’t beat.
Kansas City residents claim Brookside is “quintessential Kansas City.” From ghost tours, toy shops, local makers and retailers, art galleries and museums — not to mention all the great food, pubs and cafes — Brookside has a little bit of everything for everyone and offers a whole lot of fun.
The Country Club Plaza can often feel otherworldly to the rest of Kansas City, thanks to its Spanish-inspired architecture. It’s a pretty popular area since it’s known as the shopping capital of the city, spanning 15 blocks of retail. From designer to local, there’s a shop for everyone.
If visitors don’t come for the shopping, they probably came for the food because it’s just that good. And if they didn’t come for either, they definitely came for one of the two art museums in the neighborhood. If nothing else, maybe they’re there to count all the fountains, of which there are many. It’s no wonder this is one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,420
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,695
- Walk score: 85/100
Like many neighborhoods in metropolitan cities across the U.S., Crossroads was once a warehouse district. When the manufacturers left, the area was vacant until someone had a vision. The area became what it’s known for today, the Crossroads Arts District.
Each month on the first Friday, this neighborhood puts on an art crawl spanning 20 blocks with 70 retailers involved. The neighborhood is also home to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, which stages theatrical performances, music and dance recitals.
The area has plenty of breweries and bars to make a whole evening out of the arts, along with great restaurants, too. Hipsters and young professionals flock to the area for its creative vibes and good times.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,735
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,420
- Walk score: 69/100
Home to LEGOLAND, the city’s aquarium, the Money Museum and a covered ice rink in the winter, there are tons of things to do in Crown Center for families and singles.
Just south of Downtown, this neighborhood also has the Crown Center Mall where there’s plenty of shopping opportunities and local retailers, too. Obviously, the area has plenty of great dining options to boot.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,135
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,410
- Walk score: 48/100
As one of America’s leading best downtowns, Downtown Kansas City has a lot to offer to keep itself in the ranks. Home to a year-round, Saturday-and-Sunday City Market, come rain or shine, residents have every excuse to go downtown on the regular.
Downtown also hosts about 130 free events each year and boasts dining options from across the world.
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk score: 48/100
East Bottoms was a booming neighborhood closer to its founding back around 1800. It was well known for its J. Rieger & Co. Distillery, producer of over 100 different products, founded in 1887.
The distillery was eventually forced to shut down during the prohibition, but in 2014, the original owner’s great-great-great-grandson got the distillery up and running again. In addition to its specialty spirits you can taste all over the country in craft cocktails, this distillery opened up its own tasting and dining rooms which revitalized the area and urged other pubs and breweries to join the mix, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City.
This is a great area in Kansas City to meet up with friends to have a great time.
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk score: 54/100
Two of KCMO’s most notable, must-see museums are in the 18th & Vine District: The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the American Jazz Museum. Throw in some barbecue (there are plenty of options in the area), and you have three of Kansas City’s biggest passions: Baseball, jazz and barbecue.
Since it’s such a storied area, residents and visitors can enjoy live entertainment and music regularly.
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk score: 48/100
In recent years, after a stint marked by crime, Manheim Park has gone under a reconstruction period. Merging together old historic constructions with modern designs, there’s a visual flow and continuity in this little neighborhood. This community-member-lead reinvigoration has even been published nationally.
Manheim Park has put in the work to transform itself into an upcoming area with ample easy-living apartments, and the momentum isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Source: Rent./The Briarcliff City Apartments
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,023
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,200
- Walk score: 28/100
This quiet suburban area of Northland packs a punch thanks to the riverboat casinos, Worlds of Fun amusement park and a shopping district. Along with local retailers are art galleries, festivals and firework shows.
There are also a couple of indoor sporting venues, like rock climbing, or the restaurant-and-play duo that brought pickleball to Kansas City, Chicken N Pickle.
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk score: 66/100
Another cove for older, architecturally rich and Victorian homes, Pendleton Heights is definitely worth checking out. Young professionals, families just starting out, artists and creatives tend to flock to this area, and its residents seem to stick around for the long haul.
This rather diverse neighborhood is a tight-knit community where residents tend to look out for one another, and one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City is also the perfect area to call home.
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,504
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,187
- Walk score: 85/100
Butting up against the Missouri River, River Market has gone by many names in the past, but was the city’s first incorporated district. Its name aptly implies that long ago, the river-side access lent this area to a lot of trade. That still carries into today, though it looks a little different now thanks in part to its bustling open-air farmer’s market.
If you’re into old mobster histories, this district has plenty of that, thanks to its River Quay (just one of the area’s many previous names) era now long ago. A mob war broke out and resulted in burning buildings and businesses, along with a few mob members’ deaths. After the fiasco, the mob left the area, as depicted in “Casino.”
If you lean away from all things true-crime, River Market’s fresh and bustling food, bar and boutique scenes serve as plenty of an attraction, too.
Source: Rent./Gladstone Pointe
- Median 1-BR rent: $645
- Median 2-BR rent: $750
- Walk score: 63/100
About two miles east of downtown, overlooking the Missouri River, Scarritt Point is a well-located neighborhood full of history. With well-manicured streets and sidewalks, overhung with large shady trees, this area was prominent back in the day among affluent families who built large homes.
If old historical residences are what you’re after, this neighborhood is right for you. It’s chock full of local flavors and good dining, too.
- Median 1-BR rent: $940
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,340
- Walk score: 86/100
If you’re looking for a beautiful, well-manicured area loaded with parks, creeks and lush greenery, maybe even a rose garden, then the South Plaza area is the ideal neighborhood for you.
It’s home to the University of Missouri – Kansas City, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, so residents have plenty to keep busy. Not to mention the creative and trendy restaurants on-hand in this neighborhood, too. All that goes a long way to help it stay one of the best neighborhoods in Kansas City.
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: N/A
- Walk score: 48/100
The Sunset Hill area is a beautiful neighborhood with great parks and lovely, Colonial- and Tudor-styled homes. This well-maintained area is where young families tend to gravitate, so there are plenty of amenities at hand.
A quick 10-minute drive will bring you right to Country Club Plaza’s offerings, without having to sacrifice the quiet nature of this little suburban haven. With great food and drinks nearby, it’s hard to say no to Sunset Hill!
Source: Rent./The Ridge at Chestnut
- Median 1-BR rent: $765
- Median 2-BR rent: $870
- Walk score: 58/100
Waldo is one of the main entertainment districts in Kansas City. It tactfully balances nightlife with family-friendly events, like the Waldo Fall Festival. Where good drinks are pouring, good plates are easy to find, as is shopping.
Each year, Waldo is home to the Trolley Run, a race following the historic streetcar or trolley tracks throughout the neighborhood. There’s a tight-knit feeling in Waldo, where residents look out for each other and have fun together.
The best neighborhoods in Kansas City — find one that’s right for you
If you found a neighborhood that sounds like your own personal hiatus, check out these apartments for rent in Kansas City!
The rent information included in this article is based on a median calculation of multifamily rental property inventory on Apartment Guide and Rent. as of November 2021 and is for illustrative purposes only. This information does not constitute a pricing guarantee or financial advice related to the rental market.
Source: rent.com