The average American will move about 11 times throughout their lifetime. Whether it’s for a new job, a better house, or to get married, there are many reasons Americans move so much.
According to experts, Texas was the most popular state to move to in 2018. Florida’s Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and Arizona’s Phoenix and Mesa also attracted a lot of movers.
But these Sun Belt cities aren’t the only worthy options. There’s also Kansas City MSA, famed for its jazz music and barbecue.
Between 2010 and 2017, the Kansas City population went up 6% from 2,009,388 to 2,128,912. That’s a 119,574 increase, 39,000 of which is due to migration!
That should tell you that KC is getting its fair share of attention. And that it deserves yours, too.
There’s more to this metro area than just the music and though. Keep reading as we’ve listed the top reasons this city should be your next home!
Getting Rid of the Confusion
Kansas City can refer to the MSA (known also as KC), the smaller Kansas City, Kansas, or Kansas City, Missouri.
Confused? Don’t worry. This post will focus on Kansas City, MO, but we’ll first get rid of some of the confusion.
The population mentioned above is for the Kansas City metropolitan area. Kansas City, MO serves as the MSA’s anchor city. But Kansas City in Kansas is also part of the metropolitan area.
In 2017, Kansas City, Kansas had an estimated population of 152,938. It’s the third-largest city in the State of Kansas.
Kansas City MSA sits at the borders of the States of Kansas and Missouri and spreads over 15 counties in both. Its anchor city, Kansas City, MO, has an estimated population of 488,943.
It used to be only one of the largest cities in Missouri. It outpaced St. Louis though and has grown to become the largest city in Missouri.
Between 2010 and 2017, the population of Kansas City, MO went from 460,734 to 488,943. That’s an increase of 28,209, or an average of almost 4,030 every year, for seven years.
Why Missouri’s Kansas City Population Keeps Growing
In Kansas City, the cost of living is 10% lower than the national average. It’s also 1% lower than the Missouri average.
The cheaper prices here are likely the main reason for its population growth. Especially when it comes to utilities and housing. Utilities are 23% lower than the national average, while it’s 22% lower for housing.
Rent is also cheaper in Kansas City compared to the metro. The median rent price in KCM is $995, while it’s $1,150 in KC MSA. It’s even cheaper compared to the national average rent price, which now sits at a whopping $1,405.
The Impressive Labor Market
Kansas City’s labor market is also a source of pride, with its impressive rate of bachelor’s degree holders. Over a third of the city’s adults between 25 and 34 years old have a bachelor’s degree.
For potential employers, this means having access to a wide pool of talents. This is especially important for businesses offering specialized services, like IT. If you’re going to start such a business, you’d want to acquire new talents with higher education.
For the Techy Entrepreneurs
The Kansas City metro has been seeing a lot of new jobs created by tech startups too. Since 2012, these businesses have created 16,000 new jobs every year. Also, these startups accounted for 7.7% of employment in the city back in 2016.
Plenty of Options for the Business-Minded
Aside from tech, distribution, education, and health services are Kansas City’s primary industries. Manufacturing, warehousing, and professional/businesses services are other of its major industries.
That already gives you a wide array of business options to venture in if you move to KCM. But you may also want to consider getting into real estate investment. With the city’s population expected to grow further, you’ll have a big target audience to market to.
Unsure of what goes into investing in real estate properties? Check out this blog to get some idea on how it works.
Growing Job Opportunities
In November 2018, Kansas City MSA celebrated its 99th consecutive over-the-year employment increase. KCM accounts for 56% of the metro’s non-farm workforce, and between November 2017 and 2018, it opened 8,200 new jobs. That’s a 1.3% increase within that period.
For the unemployed, this growing job market can be a good reason to move to Kansas City.
Action-Packed, Activity-Rich City
Whether you’re into sports or not, The Blue Boys of Kansas City and the Kansas City Chiefs will get you into the spirit.
If you’re gearing up to change your lifestyle, KCM offers healthy activities like yoga. Make friends with locals by joining them for some running, jogging, or biking too.
Jazzing It Up
Let’s not forget about jazz, an iconic part of Kansas City’s history. It’s very much alive, thanks to the American Jazz Museum and the Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors. You’ll also spot a lot of jazz-inspired artwork dotting the city’s bustling streets.
The Barbecue
This list won’t be complete without us talking about Kansas City’s barbecue. It has a long and rich history, dating back to the early 1920s. Most locals would agree that this grilled food craze started with Henry Perry.
From there, barbecue has become an integral part of Kansas City’s culture. Today, there are more than 100 barbecue restaurants throughout the metro. They even have an organization called the Kansas City Barbeque Society!
Should Kansas City, MO Be Your Next Home?
The ever-increasing Kansas City population proves that people are flocking to it. It may not be as big of a tech hub as Salt Lake City or as sunny as Fort Myers, but it still has its own perks. The reasons we’ve listed above should already give you an idea of why you should move to KCM.
Of course, it’s completely up to you, and you should explore all your options first. But if you’re a big fan of sports, food, music, and good people, Kansas City may be an ideal location for your next home.
Planning a move together with your business? If so, then be sure to check out our in-depth guide on moving a business!