Can you put a price on views like this? | Photo by @kansasdroneguy
With KC constantly growing and undertaking multiple high-profile developments, we figured it was time to talk about the cost of planting some roots in The Heart of America.
The median household income in Jackson County is $56,960 (Johnson County, KS is $91,650) according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Missouri is No. 38 in the country for median income at ~$57,290 per household, and Kansas is No. 30 at ~$61,091.
The overall cost of living in KC is lower than the national average.
Screenshot via bestplaces.net
The overall cost of living in Kansas City, MO is lower than the national average, but higher than the rest of the state. On the Kansas side, Overland Park is actually above the national average.
In KCMO, the cost of healthcare is lower compared to other parts of the state, but it’s slightly higher than the rest of the US. However, the cost of groceries, housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses in the city have lower average costs than average in the US.
Breaking down the numbers
Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $50,000 annually — according to experts — you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly gross income on rent and utilities. Don’t worry, we did the math for you — your max monthly budget would be $1,250. The average monthly rent for an apartment in KC is $1,202 — nearing the top of your budget.
According to Attom Data Solutions, it’s actually more affordable to buy a home in Jackson and Wyandotte counties than to rent. However, it’s more affordable to rent in Clay, Platte, and Johnson (KS) counties.
Take a look at the chart below to see how KCMO’s cost of living compares to that of St. Louis.
Transportation is the only cheaper cost in Kansas City compared to St. Louis.
Screenshot via bestplaces.net
Interested in seeing KC’s cost of living compared to cities in other states? We played around on nerdwallet’s cost of living calculator, where you can put in any city along with your current pre-tax household income to find out what other cities you could actually afford to live in.
We took a look at the cost of living in Kansas City compared to Denver. Here’s what we found:
The cost of living is 18% higherin Denver.
To maintain our standard of living (based on $50,000), we would need to bring in $58,750 to our Denver household.
The median cost for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,538, which is $354 more than KC.
KCMO has entities such as the Affordable Housing Trust Fund + other government-funded programs to help develop more affordable units.
Poll
What would you tell someone who is considering moving here about the cost of living?
A. Prepare yourself for sticker shock - it’s expensive
B. Prices are reasonable - not exorbitant, not cheap
C. This is a really affordable city to live
Garment District Grooves: After Hours | Wed., Oct. 12 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Garment District Place, 8th Street + Broadway Boulevard, Kansas City, MO | Check out Sisters & Strings Infusion + bites from Cliff’s Taphouse at this happy hour event. 🎻
Shuler King | Wed., Oct. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Improv Comedy Club, 7260 NW 87th St, Kansas City, MO | $66.00 - $132.00 | From funeral director to stand-up, this comedian is known for his viral social media videos (tickets are sold for two-top or four-top tables).
Thursday, October 13
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Thu., Oct. 13 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Gem Theater, 1615 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO | Listen to the spookiest Halloween-inspired music under the gentle glow of candlelight. 🕯
Penn Valley Park Trail Open House | Thu., Oct. 13 | 5-7 p.m. | Just Off Broadway Theatre, 3051 Central, Kansas City, MO | Be a part of the plan for Penn Valley Park by providing feedback on draft trail concepts. 🌳
Rach Talk Live! | Thu., Oct. 13 | 7 p.m. | Uptown Theater | $39.50 - $59.00 | Rachel Hollis, author of “Girl, Stop Apologizing,” describes her tour as if “Girls Night with your besties” had a baby with “the most motivational college football coach speech ever.”
Friday, October 14
Kansas City Ballet: Giselle | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sun., Oct. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Kauffman Center | $34.00 - $134.00 | The romantic classic tells a tragic tale about a young girl’s innocent love for a nobleman secretly disguised as a commoner. 🩰
Saturday, October 15
Hoots & Howls | Sat., Oct. 15 - Sun., Oct. 16 | 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Kansas City Zoo | $10.00 - $20.00 | Try your hand at the pumpkin toss and watch the animals enjoy some fall fun. 🎃
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Celebrate fall with Cornucopia 2022 in the KC Power + Light District
Presented by a KCtoday Partner
Attendees are advised to dress warmly and arrive early to allow for parking. | Photo by Nicole Bissey via Power & Light District
We don’t want to be corny, but there’s only one right way to celebrate fall in Kansas City — with pumpkin carving, funnel cake + all the fall festival goodness at Cornucopia Fall Fest in the downtown Power + Light District.
Happening Fri., Oct. 14 through Sun., Oct. 16(Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday, 12-6 p.m.), the festival has something for everyone.
Here are five things to look forward to:
Seasonal festivities — think: carnival rides, pumpkin carving, pony rides and face painting
Food and drink including BBQ, funnel cake, spiked cider + local brews
Live music performed by Whiskey Mash Band
Educational activities in the PNC Learning Plaza (Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Football watch party (Sun. only, 1 p.m.)
Pro tip: The Strawberry Swing pop-up market will showcase art, apparel, jewelry + more for purchase from local and regional makers, so don’t forget to bring cash, too.
Best of all? Admission is free.See you there, KC.*
We’ve got something to taco ’bout. Tiki Taco is bringing its array of world flavors to a second location. The locally owned taco + burrito establishment will open on Mon., Oct. 17 — at 5400 Troost Ave. — inside a long-vacant 2000-sqft building near Rockhurst University. 🌮 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Award
Three local breweries took home medals at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival.City Barrel Brewery got bronze for its Rad AF hazy IPA (out of 375 submissions), River Bluff Brewing snagged silver for its Brother-Brother lager, and BKS Artisan Ales won gold for its Rockhill & Locust English ale. (Flatland)
Outdoors
Construction is finished at Overland Park’s Strang Park — 88th Street + Farley Street — and the city is hosting a reopening party on Fri., Oct 14 at 2 p.m. Explore the city’s first all-inclusive playground (and get a sneak preview before you go).
Traffic
Due to the Garmin KC Marathon, street closures on Sat., Oct. 15 will impact traffic across the city. Police officers have deemed it safe for pedestrians to cross the street during gaps in marathon participants. Here’s a map of the route. 👟
Civic
Kansas voters have until Tues., Oct. 18 next week to register to vote. Our registration guide has everything you need to know to get out and vote in the general election on Tues., Nov. 8. Missouri’s deadline was yesterday. 🗳
Celebrate
Kinship Cafe is celebrating one year of business on Fri., Oct. 21 — at 719 N. 6th St., KCK. From 5-8 p.m., you can party alongside 15 vendors, live music, barbecue, and pumpkin painting. The bash coincides with the city’s Third Friday Artwalk. 🎉
Community
Attention. The Mid-Continent Public Library’s Veteran Salute is happening now until Fri., Nov. 11. Vets and their loved ones can pick up a commemorative pin at any open branch. This year’s programming commemorates the Vietnam War, including special programming starting Tues., Nov. 1.
Tech
Imagine getting a hug — from hundreds of miles away. That’s what metro-native Akshay Dinakar is achieving with Tangible. The company’s “magical pillow” wraps around your body, connects with another pillow, and mimics the warmth + pressure of someone else’s hug. The Kickstarter is nearly fully funded. (Startland News)
Plan Ahead
Tunes, tequila, and tacos, oh my. Head over to Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18 Ave. — on Wed., Oct. 19 between 5-8 p.m. for an Una Vida tequila tasting (paired with Cinder Block’s Salted Lemonade Sour margarita) alongside the American Fusion Food Truck and live music. 🍋
Officials with the KC Streetcar are looking to hire marketing and design + IT consultant services as the rail system expands. The deadline for proposals is Wed., Nov. 9. 🚊
Announced
If you love this newsletter (and supporting local) as much as we love strolls in Loose Park, morning lattes from Messenger Coffee + Saturdays spent shopping at the Plaza (which is a lot) — we’ve got something for you: KCtoday just launched a membership program.Learn more + sign up.
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Opening
Business is blooming 💐
Lily Floral Designs opening in Kansas City’s Columbus Park
Lily (left) and Betsy. | Photos by KCtoday
Lily Floral Designs is celebrating its grand opening this Sat., Oct. 15 in Columbus Park — 922 E. 5th St., KCMO.
Time: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Deal: The first 20 customers get free flowers Food: “The Potato Man’s coming” — @tcsfullyloaded Other: Giveaways, a photo booth, permanent jewelry
About the company
Lily Williams started the brand in her studio apartment. Within one year, she did flowers for 50 weddings.
“I would just turn the air down and be like, I’m fine, I’ll just sleep in sweats.”
Betsy Ford (the buyer) had worked with Lily before, and she asked if they wanted to go into business together. The 50-50 partnership was born.
The new space
The duo comes to Columbus Park from a small 800-sqft studio in Brookside. Their new 2,800-sqft store comes with:
A walk-in space for bouquets, cards, plants, pots, vases, and handbags.
A large processing + storage area
A cyclorama wall, which rents to local photographers to help subsidize rent
The flower shop’s location is right in between two other women-owned businesses — Cafe Cà Phê + Swoon Cookie Crafters. Lily said the local residents and business owners have already been making them feel right at home.
“It’s like Sesame Street down here,” Lily said. “Everybody’s so nice.”
Editor’s pick: Yesterday, we shared some of the feedback readers sent us against having a downtown baseball stadium. As Treebeard once said, “Release the river.” We had a flood of new responses in our inbox, and we’re excited to share them with you — look for them in the newsletter on Fri., Oct. 14.
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