The 10 Best Neighborhoods In Kansas City For 2022


We used science and data to determine which neighborhoods in Kansas City are the best of the best.

Chris Kolmar, About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: April 6, 2022

Folks in Kansas City have a lot to celebrate. And not just because the Chiefs won the Super Bowl last season. It's among the most diverse places in Missouri, a cultural hub that represents the best of the American midwest.

Kansas City boasts more fountains than Rome, so it's not hard to see how it got the nickname the City of Fountains. But a nickname like "the City of Boulevards" would be equally apt, seeing as KC has more boulevards than any city in the world, except Paris. What's clear is that Kansas City is one snazzy city that puts a premium on aesthetic quality. I mean, Swope Park is twice the size of NYC's Central Park, so you know locals value gorgeous outdoor spaces.

And KC isn't just a treat for the eyes. With a storied tradition of promoting jazz musicians from the 1920s up until the present day, your ears are likely to be treated to some seriously tasty tunes as well. Arts and culture are valued almost as highly as what is possibly Kansas City's greatest pride: mouthwatering barbecue.

All right, that's enough on how awesome Kansas City is, but can we be a bit more specific? Where can we find the best neighborhoods, complete with line-out-the-door BBQ joints, the hippest jazz venues, and the most majestic fountains? Well, it seems as though Kansas City's southside enjoys an advantage over the city's northern end. We came to that conclusion by looking at the statistics that translate into a high quality of life: high incomes, a high-quality market for both jobs and housing, low crime, and of course, plenty of entertaining things to do and see.

Don't get spooked by the high home prices in Armour Fields; there are loads of great neighborhoods in Kansas City that don't have such a high price tag. For example, taking a five-minute drive southeast of Armour Fields will bring you to Tower Homes, where homes are less than half the price. Or if you want a nice combination of high incomes and affordable home prices, Armour Hills might be just the ticket.

Pull up some BBQ ribs, throw on some Louis Armstrong, and get ready to start living like a Kansas City Royal, because we're visiting KC's best neighborhoods.

These are Kansas City's cream of the crop neighborhoods -- the ones with solid employment numbers, low crime, and great housing options. And, of course, a surplus of fun things to do that reflect what makes Kansas City such a great place to live. In any case, they're miles away (in quality) from Kansas City's worst neighborhoods.

So, what neighborhood came in as the absolute best in Kansas City for 2022? According to the data, Armour Hills is the best neighborhood to live in Kansas City.

Is your favorite fountain, BBQ joint, or jazz club in a different neighborhood than one featured on the list above? Check out the complete list of Kansas City neighborhood rankings down below to see how your neighborhood fared.

For more Missouri reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods In Kansas City
Source: Wikipedia User | CC-BY-SA-3.0

The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Kansas City

1. Armour Hills

Population: 2,422
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $240,700 (15th best)
Median Income: $103,120 (Eighth best)
More on Armour Hills: Homes For Sale | Data

Armour Hills Kansas City, MO

Source: Wikipedia User | CC BY 3.0

2. Arnour Fields

Population: 2,107
Rank Last Year: -
Median Home Value: $424,200 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $138,553 (Fifth best)
More on Arnour Fields: Homes For Sale | Data

3. Wornall Homestead

Population: 750
Rank Last Year: -
Median Home Value: $306,900 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $129,773 (Sixth best)
More on Wornall Homestead: Homes For Sale | Data

4. Ward Parkway

Population: 3,722
Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $189,450 (27th best)
Median Income: $81,157 (18th best)
More on Ward Parkway: Homes For Sale | Data

Ward Parkway Kansas City, MO

Source: Wikipedia User | GFDL

5. Romanelli West

Population: 706
Rank Last Year: -
Median Home Value: $329,900 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $102,917 (Ninth best)
More on Romanelli West: Homes For Sale | Data

6. Morningside

Population: 1,618
Rank Last Year: 4 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $255,250 (12th best)
Median Income: $103,750 (Seventh best)
More on Morningside: Homes For Sale | Data

Morningside Kansas City, MO

Source: Flickr User pasa47 | CC BY 2.0

7. Westwood

Population: 907
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $248,700 (14th best)
Median Income: $91,319 (11th best)
More on Westwood: Homes For Sale | Data

8. Tower Homes

Population: 5,882
Rank Last Year: 3 (Down 5)
Median Home Value: $167,440 (40th best)
Median Income: $69,114 (25th best)
More on Tower Homes: Homes For Sale | Data

9. Volker

Population: 4,523
Rank Last Year: 6 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $187,420 (29th best)
Median Income: $50,188 (46th best)
More on Volker: Homes For Sale | Data

10. West Plaza

Population: 3,939
Rank Last Year: 8 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $196,200 (24th best)
Median Income: $60,529 (32nd best)
More on West Plaza: Homes For Sale | Data

Methodology: How We Determined The Best Kansas City, MO Neighborhoods In 2022

In order to rank the best neighborhoods in Kansas City, we had to determine what criteria defines a "best".

Using crime, census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:

  • High incomes
  • Low unemployment rates
  • Low crime
  • High home prices
  • High population densities (A proxy for things to do)

We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 143 in each category, where 1 was the best.

Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.

And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index the "Best City Neighborhood In Kansas City." We're lookin' at you, Armour Hills.

Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best places Kansas City, Missouri has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city from best to worst.

Summary: Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Kansas City

If you're measuring the neighborhoods in Kansas City where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Kansas City aren't all good. South Blue Valley takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Kansas City.

We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.

For more Missouri reading, check out:

Best Neighborhoods To Live In Kansas City For 2022 Detailed Data

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 Armour Hills 2,422 $240,700 $103,120
2 Arnour Fields 2,107 $424,200 $138,553
3 Wornall Homestead 750 $306,900 $129,773
4 Ward Parkway 3,722 $189,450 $81,157
5 Romanelli West 706 $329,900 $102,917
6 Morningside 1,618 $255,250 $103,750
7 Westwood 907 $248,700 $91,319
8 Tower Homes 5,882 $167,440 $69,114
9 Volker 4,523 $187,420 $50,188
10 West Plaza 3,939 $196,200 $60,529
11 Central Business District-Downtown 4,364 $191,233 $52,423
12 Stanford Gardens 930 $484,300 $200,973
13 Coleman Highlands 709 $218,800 $71,964
14 Country Lane Estates 1,971 $155,100 $53,150
15 Verona Hills 2,013 $253,250 $90,614
16 Sunset Hill West 321 $975,250 $250,001
17 South Plaza 2,537 $343,967 $56,995
18 Faireway Hills 2,302 $112,800 $64,853
19 Greenway Fields 633 $484,300 $200,973
20 Western 49-63 4,533 $225,120 $82,382
21 Sunset Hill 921 $597,200 $150,641
22 White Oak 2,673 $111,000 $60,611
23 Roanoke 484 $356,000 $51,179
24 Union Hill 865 $230,750 $58,514
25 Oak Meyer Gardens 856 $232,500 $73,942
26 Timber Valley 371 $174,000 $88,198
27 Crown Center 759 $200,033 $55,006
28 Holmes Park 1,247 $179,500 $60,385
29 Highview Estates 2,603 $203,567 $73,725
30 Blue Hills Estates 1,520 $224,800 $53,319
31 Valentine 1,163 $155,950 $40,567
32 Ward Parkway Plaza 471 $148,100 $71,635
33 Saint Catherine's Gardens 2,573 $119,000 $62,102
34 Unity Ridge 513 $315,700 $101,023
35 Mission Lake 3,622 $195,400 $86,398
36 Birdlespur 1,364 $168,650 $89,478
37 Red Ridge South 2,757 $171,350 $43,766
38 Southmoreland 3,638 $168,080 $42,346
39 West Waldo 1,321 $138,900 $63,846
40 Red Bridge North 926 $168,150 $83,325
41 Lea Manor 2,044 $150,100 $68,181
42 Waldo Homes 1,554 $116,950 $49,802
43 Longfellow 2,007 $172,850 $29,178
44 River Market 523 $228,900 $51,654
45 Blue Vue Hills 1,722 $146,300 $66,875
46 Central Hyde Park 1,317 $286,650 $72,761
47 Rolling Meadows 525 $137,900 $57,625
48 Kirkside 1,722 $85,700 $35,417
49 Fairwood And Robandee 4,215 $71,000 $41,973
50 Royal Oaks 1,691 $147,200 $44,514
51 Old Westport 964 $181,500 $42,910
52 Stayton Meadows 2,471 $87,533 $50,858
53 Robandee South 1,846 $83,800 $43,036
54 Bannister Ares 1,437 $112,200 $50,651
55 Willow Creek 3,235 $75,567 $37,555
56 Plaza Westport 1,071 $182,150 $48,530
57 Western Hills 1,837 $133,550 $52,030
58 South Hyde Park 1,981 $139,000 $40,098
59 Little Blue Valley 4,414 $181,600 $71,172
60 North Hyde Park 1,649 $164,900 $21,453
61 Eastern 49-63 3,124 $106,033 $39,164
62 Squier Park 897 $143,200 $44,792
63 Martin City 1,046 $188,200 $48,989
64 Sarritt Point 3,592 $66,083 $29,106
65 South India Mound 4,007 $55,220 $30,911
66 Park Farms 3,487 $98,850 $43,396
67 Santa Fe Hills 2,175 $72,133 $43,164
68 North India Mound 4,849 $50,683 $35,163
69 Bonne Hills 1,863 $104,833 $49,970
70 Oak Park Southeast 1,754 $49,800 $34,078
71 Hanover Place 2,914 $88,133 $30,502
72 Fairlane 5,116 $85,875 $46,617
73 Swope Park Campus 1,527 $58,650 $29,629
74 Linden Hills And Indian Heights 2,305 $124,967 $48,461
75 Bleheim Square-Research Hospital 1,652 $66,000 $23,264
76 Hickman Mills South 1,596 $74,100 $42,446
77 Citadel 1,514 $90,350 $41,866
78 Eastwood Hill East 3,732 $73,975 $35,776
79 Foxtown East 901 $48,400 $42,372
80 Country Valley-Hawthorn Square 340 $158,500 $45,549
81 Broadway Gillham 898 $103,850 $29,974
82 East Meyer 4,625 $76,560 $35,925
83 South Town Fork Creek 1,262 $55,200 $32,522
84 Sterling Acres 912 $105,800 $46,125
85 Wendell Phillips 1,485 $90,167 $20,620
86 Cunningham Ridge 280 $76,400 $41,159
87 West Blue Township 713 $76,400 $41,159
88 Westside North 1,466 $154,950 $31,394
89 Ruskin Heights 4,718 $52,775 $35,841
90 Hillcrest 1,193 $83,800 $32,350
91 Ashland Ridge 1,348 $74,900 $30,375
92 West Blue Valley 2,281 $46,100 $22,986
93 Palestine East 1,304 $34,100 $24,810
94 Ruskin Hills 2,775 $66,650 $37,740
95 Pendleton Heights 2,880 $95,775 $18,347
96 Richards Gebaur 1,338 $97,833 $32,605
97 Oak Park Southwest 2,096 $19,150 $33,735
98 Loma Vista 1,897 $78,650 $31,312
99 Beacon Hills 675 $111,850 $32,104
100 Oak Park Northwest 2,913 $48,300 $24,219
101 Palestine West And Oak Park Northeast 563 $45,200 $41,050
102 Marlborough Heights-Marlborough Pride 2,591 $33,080 $26,330
103 Oldham Farms 1,012 $66,700 $39,920
104 Stanford Estates 1,954 $82,350 $43,164
105 Vineyard Northwest 797 $42,700 $19,862
106 Lykins 3,734 $40,412 $21,625
107 Hickman Mills 3,570 $88,900 $37,115
108 Oakwood 1,634 $85,500 $26,012
109 Westside South 1,302 $106,033 $40,769
110 Indipendence Plaza 2,338 $68,020 $24,060
111 Brown Estates 890 $84,700 $41,351
112 Mount Hope 326 $38,000 $16,500
113 Swope Parkway-Elmwood 2,541 $67,933 $31,053
114 Vineyard 2,003 $59,000 $27,635
115 Linwood Homeowner-Ivanhoe 1,346 $56,500 $21,750
116 North Town Fork Creek 2,904 $61,040 $27,828
117 Blue Hills 5,148 $59,229 $31,826
118 Self Help Neighborhood Council 1,805 $49,800 $20,620
119 Riss Lake 2,524 $93,600 $27,335
120 Washington Weatley 1,837 $59,333 $27,573
121 Manheim Park 1,508 $52,650 $25,860
122 Lewis Heights 712 $93,900 $37,159
123 East Community Team South 2,736 $24,860 $20,194
124 Ingleside 948 $52,525 $30,750
125 East Sqope Highlands 833 $86,500 $29,668
126 Sheffield 2,161 $48,050 $17,559
127 Legacy East 2,010 $46,500 $29,784
128 Santa Fe 2,168 $43,525 $23,036
129 Ivanhoe Northeast 761 $50,300 $25,588
130 Key Coalition 1,208 $71,500 $14,444
131 Eastwood Hills West 1,396 $66,950 $33,166
132 Hidden Valley 933 $86,300 $24,615
133 Knoches Park 1,499 $33,833 $22,604
134 Ivanhoe Southeast 1,528 $42,750 $21,210
135 Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade 1,419 $51,750 $14,866
136 Norble And Gregory Ridge 1,704 $37,400 $35,777
137 East Community Team North 2,816 $49,200 $23,342
138 East Blue Valley 1,595 $47,650 $24,536
139 Blue Valley Industrial 964 $36,500 $24,398
140 Marlborough East 1,265 $46,600 $21,160
141 Northest Industrial District 157 $18,000 $26,500
142 North Blue Ridge 71 $45,400 $21,078
143 South Blue Valley 1,992 $25,500 $22,281

Editor's Note: We updated this article for 2022. This is our ninth time ranking the best neighborhoods to live in Kansas City.
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Neighborhoods, Rankings