Best Places to Live in Kansas (2026)
Explore the best neighborhoods in Kansas. From the Kansas City metro to college towns and the Flint Hills, find your perfect Kansas community.
Kansas Neighborhood Guides
Explore our detailed guides for Kansas neighborhoods. More guides are being added regularly.
Why Move to Kansas?
Kansas offers one of the most affordable costs of living in the Midwest with a strong economy anchored by aerospace, agriculture, healthcare, and higher education. The Kansas City metro's Kansas-side suburbs — Overland Park, Olathe, and Lenexa — consistently rank among the best places to live in the country for families and professionals, with top-rated schools, low crime, and easy access to big-city amenities across the state line. Manhattan and Lawrence bring vibrant college-town energy with walkable downtowns and steady university-driven employment.
Our Kansas neighborhood guides analyze real data on cost of living, school ratings, local amenities, and community characteristics to help you find your perfect match. Manhattan is featured on our 10 Best Places to Start Over list for its affordability, safety, and welcoming atmosphere.
Kansas Regions: Where to Live
Kansas City Metro (Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa)
Known for: Top-ranked public schools, corporate headquarters (Sprint/T-Mobile, Garmin), family-friendly suburbs, excellent dining and shopping. Johnson County consistently ranks as one of the wealthiest and safest counties in the Midwest, with easy access to Kansas City's arts, sports, and entertainment scene.
Manhattan / Fort Riley
Known for: Kansas State University, Fort Riley military base, affordable housing, strong sense of community. The "Little Apple" offers a walkable downtown, Division I athletics, and a stable economy driven by education and defense. A top pick for starting over or raising a family on a budget.
Lawrence
Known for: University of Kansas, progressive college-town culture, live music scene on Massachusetts Street, outdoor recreation at Clinton Lake. Lawrence blends creative energy with Midwest affordability and is a draw for young professionals and academics.
Wichita Metro
Known for: Aviation capital of the world (Textron, Spirit AeroSystems, Airbus), very low cost of living, growing downtown revitalization. Kansas's largest city offers affordable homeownership, solid healthcare systems, and a surprisingly vibrant arts and food scene.
Topeka
Known for: State capital, government employment, "Choose Topeka" relocation incentives, historic Gage Park and the Kansas State Capitol. Topeka offers some of the lowest housing costs in the state and has invested heavily in downtown revitalization and community amenities.
Compare Kansas Cost of Living by ZIP Code
Use our interactive calculator to compare living expenses between any Kansas ZIP codes. See how housing, food, transportation, and other costs differ across the state.
Compare Kansas ZIP Codes