2023 Best Suburbs to Live in the Kansas City Area

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  82 reviews

Current Resident: Leawood is a very safe community with a slew of phenomenal and active local businesses. In typical midwest fashion, everyone here is incredibly nice and inviting. Leawood is an affluent and predominantly white community however. While I enjoyed growing up in such a great community, as I begin to gain a more diverse knowledge of Kansas and the US it is apparent the community is not as vibrant as it could be! In time though, I do believe Leawood's phenomenal school systems, as well as their wonderful public amenities, will attract a more diverse and vibrant community!... Read 82 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 33,748

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.37 out of 5  65 reviews

Current Resident: I love this town it is the greatest suburb I think I’ve ever been to because of the public schools, Parks, People, Safety Prairie Village shops, and more. Im rating this suburb a 5/5 because of the impressive amount of things in the suburb!... Read 65 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 22,812

• City in Kansas

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  465 reviews

Former Resident: My family and I lived in a townhouse in Overland Park for three years. It was a great area! Lots to do - shopping, theatres, dinning, parks, bowling, IFly, etc. Great libraries. Appreciated the diversity of the area as we are a mixed race family - didn't experience any racism here. Lots of employers in this area with decent wages. A variety of housing costs - definitely getting more expensive but you still get a pretty good bang for your buck with basements adding to overall floorspace. The roads and parking lots are spacious so I didn't experience too much driving anxiety. The Overland Park school system is nice but they put a lot of pressure on fundraising. Don't miss their annual Carnival - So fun! Watching the news is concerning due to lots of crime in the Kansas City area - we lived in the safer side of town but the lower income areas have a problem with thefts. When choosing where to rent/buy - definitely speak with a local.... Read 465 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 195,249

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: I love almost everything about living here in Westwood! I love how small our city is and how centrally located we are. We are only minutes from the Plaza and Downtown, Union Station, Crown Center, and more. Locally, there are many of the BEST local restaurants all within walking distance: Lulu's Thai Noodles, Kansas City Joes BBQ, Taco Republic, 1989 Pizza, Blue Sake Sushi, Houlihan's, First Watch, Russell Stover's, Roasterie Coffee, and Gus's Chicken. We have some really great community events such as the July 4th weekend fireworks display at Bishop Miege, Octoberfest and Movie in the Park hosted by our local police officers. Neighbors are communicative, welcoming, and VERY involved locally. A lot of kids and families always outside and about. I have lived here now since 2014 and just love it!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 1,834

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  177 reviews

Current Resident: I love Lenexa! This city is absolutely beautiful. The landscaping is pretty, grass is always mowed, very clean, you never see trash. The neighborhoods have lots of trees with some of the neatest looking homes you'll ever see. Plenty of sidewalks and just a joy to walk through. The parks and recreation are the best I have ever seen. Shawnee Mission Park is huge, 1600 acres with a 120 acre lake. The bike trails here are everywhere. They go through parks, beautiful neighborhoods, upscale business parks, it's an absolute biker and hiker paradise. The feel in Lenexa is like a smaller town yet we have tons of shopping and great restaurants. City Center is a new upscale area with apartments, farmer's market, aquatic center, library, shops, fountains, food trucks and live bands on weekends. The city also has many, many festivals throughout the year. I have lived many places in my life and Lenexa has been the best, hands down.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 56,755

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: If you live in "The Triangle" part of Fairway, you get everything. If you live elsewhere in Fairway, you basically still get everything. Everyone is just a good person here and no complaints much from them. Everywhere you go everyone is extremely friendly (even some of the seniors because lots of senior citizens live in The Triangle), and not much crime happens in this area. Minutes away wonderful locations are near such as the Plaza, some (medical for now) marijuana shops in KC Missouri, Joe's KC BBQ in KCK, among so many other places, and even the "La Jolla" of Kansas being Mission Hills. Very plentiful locations and I have nothing to complain about except the fact no mountains like Estes Parks' or beaches like La Jolla's are near because those would be magical and just would make my life much better, that way we'd REALLY get more weed for the bros like me haha ;P... Read 4 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 4,147

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 4.42 out of 5  38 reviews

Current Resident: I love Parkville! I have lived here for 17 years and still find things I haven’t done! It is a hidden gem of Missouri. We have about everything from large city feel to small town country life! Parkville has it all!... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 7,153

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  232 reviews

Current Resident: I am used to living in a more rural area but I have definitely enjoyed my experience living in Shawnee. The schools are amazing and there are tons of opportunities. This is certainly a family friendly community and it is a great place to live. Most of Shawnee is middle class/upper-middle class; so affordability is occasionally an issue. Overall, Shawnee is a great place to live and start a family and to grow connections with a welcoming community!... Read 232 reviews

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• grade A

• Population 67,021

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: I love the small town living atmosphere, yet being in the heart of the big city. Best of all is the recreational lake that provides the community a commonality for togetherness. The city of Weatherby Lake (2000 people )is only 15 minutes from downtown, 25 minutes to the Plaza and 10 minutes to the airport. The school district is top notch, Park Hill and Has its ow police and mayor form of government. It is less than 30 minutes from Pembroke school as well... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 2,408

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 3.96 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: Overall a really nice place to live, very residential but also has a nice amount of stores and places to go/things to do nearby. Not too far from downtown where you can enjoy a lot of restaurants and night life.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 9,884

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: The neighbors are incredibly friendly. We know each other and have get togethers. It's a very active neighborhood. Great for walks or runs, too. There are many families and it's a very safe area.... Read 2 reviews

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• grade A+

• Population 3,579

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.01 out of 5  458 reviews

Current Resident: Everyone is very nice and welcoming. Olathe is a place where people can go to get a little bit of everything, there are some secluded houses, suburbs, and in downtown Olathe, there is a more urban feel. Everyone respects everyone and it always feels very safe. I am glad that I found my way here!... Read 458 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 140,339

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: Great city in KC metro. Close to downtown, being one of the Kansas side's first suburbs. To the south and southwest are the extremely affluent cities of Fairway and Mission Hills. To the east is Westwood, another affluent suburban city, and then further east on the Missouri side the world-renowned Country Club Plaza neighborhood of Kansas City. To the west is Mission, which is more middle class. To the north, across the county line, is the lower income Rosedale neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas, which while not quite as bad as some parts, is definitely not the best area - but has some great nightlife and food options, in addition to the KU Medical Hospital. We've found it to be a good mix of dense suburban living that allows us to walk almost anywhere but also have the safety to not worry about leaving cars out on the street. The city is mostly single family housing, while there is one apartment complex - The Boulevard, and another, The Rocks, planned to be built.... Read 15 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 6,871

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 4.14 out of 5  340 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here all my life! I know no different and may be biased, but I believe my experience within the Lee's Summit school district was excellent and enjoyable. I loved my teachers and enjoyed participating in extracurricular activities such as softball and choir. The downtown area is small and sweet with local boutiques like Elle&Em and Anchora Bella. There are a few coffee shops to note downtown: Hand in Glove, Frost Coffee and Tea, and Whistle Stop.... Read 340 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 100,772

• Suburb in Kansas

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 976

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: So many amazing unique homes I love going on walks and chatting with neighbors. It’s close to everything yet very quiet and private. I look forward to every weekend we can spend here!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 3,084

• Town in Kansas

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  20 reviews

Current Resident: I currently live in De Soto and have been here for four years. I am retired and drive a school bus. I’m very familiar with the school district, students, faculty, administrators etc; compared with all the other school districts in the Kansas City Metropolitan area….and find that living in this KC suburb serves me well as both rural and metropolitan combined. The schools here excel, the people are friendly, crime is virtually nonexistent and the cost of living is perfect. I am extremely comfortable living here in De Soto.... Read 20 reviews

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• grade A

• Population 6,160

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  152 reviews

Current Resident: Liberty is growing! There is so much expansion in housing, apartments, jobs, and entertainment. We have the best movie theater, B & B! Shopping is somewhat limited but slowly expanding. Restaurants are everywhere featuring all types of cosines. There is something for everyone. Excellent schools and an easy commute to many great colleges. Family friendly it is a very diverse community. Safe, friendly, affordable. Liberty is close to downtown Kansas City and other surrounding areas so great jobs are easy to find.... Read 152 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 30,129

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 3.83 out of 5  18 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Merriam quite a few years now and have not had any real problems. There is the usual nine and five work traffic, but plenty of grocery stores, gas stations, parks, and dog or family friendly areas.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 11,110

• Town in Kansas

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  Rating 3.49 out of 5  49 reviews

Current Resident: Lansing is a great small town with vicinity to big town opportunities. I’ve been here since 2004 and there is a large military population as well as retired military population that is very supportive. In addition, the school district is great and takes the time to listen to parent concerns as well as student concerns. The local / been here all their life folks are welcoming, helpful and informative. It’s a place where you will really feel at home from the start. Walk the trails, visit the parks, experience a great neighborhood feel. Lansing welcomes everyone!... Read 49 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 11,321

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  184 reviews

Current Resident: After living in two large, metropolitan cities in the last year and a half, I can easily say that Blue Springs has been a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively! Traffic is non-issue, the culture is laid back and friendly, neighbors are kind and helpful, and my children and I have felt quite welcome. It is close enough to access Kansas City when the desire arises, but honestly, it is not often necessary. Thank you, Blue Springs!... Read 184 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 58,265

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  58 reviews

Current Resident: I love the suburbs of Kansas City, Missouri. I personally feel like it is a very safe environment for students and families to grow and come together as a community. Being tight knit is important to me, I grew up in a house with 5 older siblings and loving caring parents who also grew up in Kansas City. I love how the city of Gladstone is always looking to better the community by being punctual when taking care of problems that arise in the area.... Read 58 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 26,825

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 1,206

• Suburb in Kansas

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  54 reviews

Works Here: Gardner Kansas is an up-and-coming fast-growing community that has places to work, live and have fun. Moonlight Commons Shopping Center on Moonlight Road has Austin's Bar & Grill, (Better than bar food) Moonlight Liquor (A large liquor store with fantastic selection) Electric Sun Tanning & Boutique ( Which has the greatest staff ever) Gardner Edgerton School Districts is top notch for academics, sports and being a good community partner. Gardner has the Johnson County Fairgrounds, it is next to New Century Air Center and the BNSF LogisticsKC Intermodal transportation hub. Affordable housing, a young community that is a great place to raise a family.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 23,065

• Suburb of Kansas City, MO

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  38 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I really enjoy living in Smithville. The schools are really good and ranked very high statewide. The community is fairly connected as expected in a small town. One of the best things about living here is what sets us apart from other cities, which is the Smithville Lake. The lake is well-sized and allows for fishing, boating, tubing, swimming, and other lake activities. There are also many trails around the lake that make it very easy to enjoy nature. However, one of the big downsides of this city is the lack of restaurant variety, stores, and other activities.... Read 38 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 10,211