Start your Kansas City, MO search
How many bedrooms do you need?
Navigate apartment hunting and city life like a local with our curated articles about Kansas City, Missouri.
Urban village character defines West Plaza, where Kansas City's midtown neighborhood offers walkable amenities unusual for typically car-dependent Midwestern cities. Most rentals feature architectural diversity from historic homes to contemporary apartments, while the compact commercial district provides independent restaurants and specialty shops within walking distance of most properties. Though rental rates reflect the area's popularity, the combination of walkability, proximity to both Plaza shopping and Westport entertainment, and strategic positioning between downtown employment and suburban amenities creates ideal balance for urban households seeking authentic neighborhood connections beyond purely downtown or purely suburban alternatives increasingly requiring significant lifestyle compromises rather than offering balanced everyday living experiences.
National study of renter’s satisfaction with their cities and states
Apartment List has released Kansas City’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.
"Kansas City renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "However, ratings varied greatly across different categories, indicating that even though renters love Kansas City, some aspects can be better."
Key findings in Kansas City include the following:
Kansas City renters gave their city a B overall.
The highest-rated categories for Kansas City were commute time (A) and affordability (A-).
The areas of concern to Kansas City renters are quality of local schools and jobs and career opportunities, which both received D grades.
Millennial renters are moderately satisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of B.
Kansas City did relatively well compared to other cities in Missouri, including Springfield (B-) and Saint Louis (C+).
Kansas City did relatively well compared to similar cities nationwide, including Oklahoma City, OK (C+), Las Vegas, NV (C) and Sacramento, CA (C).
The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction include Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities include Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.
Renters say:
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.
Academic proximity shines near Rockhurst University. Renters appreciate 1920s Tudor homes but face pothole-riddled streets and 45-minute commutes to downtown jobs via I-35.
Urban renaissance defines The Downtown Loop, where Kansas City's core business district has transformed with new residential options alongside historic buildings. Rental choices range from industrial-chic lofts in converted warehouses to luxury high-rises with skyline views and rooftop amenities. The neighborhood offers exceptional walkability to entertainment districts, streetcar access, and major employers, though rental rates exceed Kansas City averages with fierce competition for units in the most desirable buildings.
