Kansas City, Missouri, is known for many things, including barbecue, the National World War I Museum, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and, of course, its professional baseball and football teams. It’s also one of the best places to retire in Missouri. Residents and tourists alike delight in the more than 200 fountains scattered across the city or enjoy catching a jazz show at one of its famous music clubs and restaurants. With nearly 500,000 individuals calling Kansas City home, you may decide you’d prefer to live in close proximity of this great city instead. Look no further than these 10 awesome suburbs.
10. Merriam, Kansas
- Population: 11,178
- Median Home Value: $160,100
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 18 minutes
- School Ranking: A-
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 341
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 44
Merriam is located nine miles southwest of Kansas City. With only 11,000 residents, Merriam is one of the smaller suburbs on our list. However, despite its size, there’s plenty to do! The shopping plaza has everything from Ikea to a movie theater, and several parks are located in the area. What’s more, Merriam has the shortest mean travel time to work, clocking in at 18 minutes. Look for your new home in Merriam!
9. Lee’s Summit, Missouri
- Population: 98,461
- Median Home Value: $210,400
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 25 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 2,105
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 118
Lee’s Summit is approximately 20 miles southeast of Kansas City. This city of just under 100,000 has a lot to love. Nature lovers will rejoice in the numerous open spaces just outside the city, including the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area and the trails around the two major lakes, Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake. Inside the city, there’s a wealth of restaurants, shopping centers and even an amphitheater and a municipal airport. Find your new home in Lee’s Summit!
8. Gladstone, Missouri
- Population: 27,317
- Median Home Value: $139,600
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 660
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 226
Enjoy all Gladstone has to offer! A local favorite is the Atkins-Johnson Farm and Museum, where visitors can visit the historical exhibits and enjoy special events. The downtown Linden Square is the place to be for seasonal festivals and concerts. Multiple parks in the city offer not only a chance to enjoy the outdoors, but also to catch an open-air movie. Your new home in Gladstone is waiting for you!
7. Liberty, Missouri
- Population: 31,779
- Median Home Value: $173,500
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 511
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 93
Liberty is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Kansas City. It’s a great city for history buffs, who can step back in time with a visit to the Jesse James Bank Museum and the Historic Liberty Jail. Nature lovers will enjoy walking in the parks, including the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary. Of course, there’s also all of the great shipping centers and restaurants. Take a look at the new homes available in Liberty.
6. Olathe, Kansas
- Population: 139,605
- Median Home Value: $224,000
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 21 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,957
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 305
With a population of nearly 140,000, Olathe is a city to be reckoned with! There’s no shortage of things to do, with a wide range of activities to suit everyone’s interests. You can spend your day at Lake Olathe or the Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center. Or perhaps you want to catch a historic reenactment at the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop-Farm or get a drink at the Stone Pillar Vineyard & Winery. Whatever your taste is, you’re sure to find it here. Be sure to check out the new homes available in Olathe!
5. Lenexa, Kansas
- Population: 55,294
- Median Home Value: $248,800
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 20 minutes
- School Ranking: A
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 838
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 107
Just north of Olathe is the next suburb on our list, Lenexa. Big on community, Lenexa plays host to great events all year long, ranging from chili cookouts to outdoor concerts. Another great attraction is the Lenexa Farmers Market, which takes place twice a week during the market season. Enjoy the myriad of parks, including ones dedicated to dogs, golf and archery. Browse the listing for houses in Lenexa!
4. Blue Springs, Missouri
- Population: 55,104
- Median Home Value: $158,500
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 27 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,599
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 134
Blue Springs is located 19 miles east of Kansas City. With 20 public parks and 28 preserved parks, you have your pick of jogging spots. Lake Tapawingo and Blue Springs Lake are nearby, making them the perfect place to head to on warm summer days. Additionally, Blue Springs is know for its excellent school system. Your new home awaits you in Blue Springs!
3. Shawnee, Kansas
- Population: 65,845
- Median Home Value: $225,900
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 22 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 1,076
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 165
Shawnee is a bustling suburb with a lot to love. From its park, shopping centers and golf courses, every day is a new adventure here. One of the city’s goals is to increase sustainability and environmental friendliness, and there’s plenty of opportunities for residents to volunteer and give back to their community. Look for your new home in Shawnee!
2. Leawood, Kansas
- Population: 34,689
- Median Home Value: $447,100
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 21 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 543
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 27
Leawood is located 10 miles directly south of Kansas City. Folks here enjoy the parks, the Hallbrook Country Club and the Prairie Oak Nature Center. One of Leawood’s greatest qualities is its low violent crime rate, with only 27 violent crimes committed in the past year. Take a look at the new construction houses in Leawood!
1. Overland Park, Kansas
- Population: 192,536
- Median Home Value: $361,200
- Mean Travel Time to Work: 20 minutes
- School Ranking: A+
- Most Recent Annual Number of Property Crimes: 3,739
- Most Recent Annual Number of Violent Crimes: 440
At the top of our list is Overland Park, located just south of Shawnee. With more than 192,000 residents calling it home, Overland Park is the largest suburb on our list. It’s easy to see why so many love it here. From its short commute time, stellar schools and plenty of activities (museums, farmsteads, botanical gardens and more), Overland Park is a great place to live. What’s more, Kansas City is only about 30 minutes away! Find your new home in Overland Park!
Additional Suburbs
| Suburb | Pop. | Median Home Value | Mean Travel to Work | School Rank | Property Crimes | Violent Crimes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner, Kansas | 21,871 | $178,700 | 24 minutes | A- | 308 | 56 |
| Grain Valley, Missouri | 14,277 | $165,500 | 28 minutes | A- | 201 | 25 |
| Raymore, Missouri | 21,784 | $194,000 | 29 minutes | B+ | 474 | 9 |
| Independence, Missouri | 116,925 | $107,300 | 24 minutes | B+ | 6,115 | 521 |
| Leavenworth, Kansas | 36,062 | $120,900 | 17 minutes | B | 1,130 | 345 |
| Lansing, Kansas | 11,964 | $173,600 | 21 minutes | B | 136 | 30 |
| Belton, Missouri | 23,598 | $131,000 | 25 minutes | B | 655 | 83 |
| Ottawa, Kansas | 12,267 | $103,300 | 20 minutes | C+ | 313 | 63 |
| Excelsior Springs, Missouri | 11,646 | $125,800 | 24 minutes | C+ | 351 | 22 |
| Grandview, Missouri | 24,962 | $103,500 | 22 minutes | C+ | 924 | 173 |
| Raytown, Missouri | 28,993 | $102,700 | 22 minutes | C+ | 1,295 | 153 |
| Kansas City, Kansas | 152,958 | $91,600 | 21 minutes | C | 5,206 | 1,205 |
Other Missouri Resources
NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. These factors were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each suburb.
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
