The best suburb in the Kansas City area, according to data—plus, see the rest of the top 9

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Best suburbs in Kansas City

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023 . But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Kansas City. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Kansas City.

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#9. Lake Winnebago, Missouri

- Population: 1,263
- Median home value: $599,300
- Median rental price: $1,667

- Top schools nearby: Trailridge Elementary School (grade A), Summit Lakes Middle School (grade A), Lee's Summit West High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Summit Christian Academy (grade A−), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School (grade B+), Heartland High School & Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−

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#8. Gladstone, Missouri

- Population: 26,964
- Median home value: $194,900
- Median rental price: $1,048

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Chapel Hill Elementary School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), Bishop Miege High School (grade A), Overland Christian Schools (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#7. Blue Springs, Missouri

- Population: 58,720
- Median home value: $224,600
- Median rental price: $1,159

- Top schools nearby: James Walker Elementary School (grade A), Lucy Franklin Elementary School (grade A), Sunny Pointe Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Summit Christian Academy (grade A−), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School (grade B+), Islamic School of Greater Kansas City (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#6. Liberty, Missouri

- Population: 30,299
- Median home value: $250,200
- Median rental price: $1,004

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Franklin Elementary School (grade A), Epic Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Pius X High School (grade A−), Faith Christian Academy (grade A−), The Plaza Academy (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#5. Lake Lotawana, Missouri

- Population: 3,017
- Median home value: $538,700
- Median rental price: $1,772

- Top schools nearby: Woodland Elementary School (grade A), Highland Park Elementary School (grade A), Lee's Summit North High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Whitefield Academy (grade A), Summit Christian Academy (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−

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#4. Lake Waukomis, Missouri

- Population: 1,021
- Median home value: $344,300
- Median rental price: $1,388

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A), Park Hill High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Pius X High School (grade A−), Faith Christian Academy (grade A−), Northland Christian Schools (grade B−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#3. Lee's Summit, Missouri

- Population: 101,728
- Median home value: $291,400
- Median rental price: $1,295

- Top schools nearby: Delta Woods Middle School (grade A), Voy Spears Jr. Elementary School (grade A), Chapel Lakes Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#2. Weatherby Lake, Missouri

- Population: 2,422
- Median home value: $462,800
- Median rental price: $2,036

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Park Hill South High School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Pius X High School (grade A−), Faith Christian Academy (grade A−), Northland Christian Schools (grade B−)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

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#1. Parkville, Missouri

- Population: 7,669
- Median home value: $556,500
- Median rental price: $891

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Park Hill South High School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Maranatha Academy (grade A), Overland Christian Schools (grade A−), St. Pius X High School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.