07.12.2024

Today’s Forecast

94º | 15% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:03 a.m. | Sunset 8:45 p.m.

📊 Crunching the KC numbers

How much does it cost to live in Kansas City?

KC_downtown skyline plus Liberty Memorial

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 $65,169 (Johnson County, KS is $103,644) according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Missouri is No. 40 in the country for median income at ~$61,847 per household, and Kansas is No. 33 at ~$64,124.

KC_cost of living screenshot 1 — The overall cost of living in KC is lower than the national average.
|
Screenshot via bestplaces.net

The overall cost of living in KCMO is lower than the national average, but higher than the rest of the state. On the Kansas side, Overland Park is actually above both the national and the state average.

In KCMO, the cost of healthcare, groceries, and housing are lower compared to other parts of the state, though healthcare is higher than the national average.

However, the cost of transportation and other miscellaneous expenses in the city have lower average costs than that of the rest of Missouri.

Breaking down the numbers

Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $65,000 annually, your max monthly budget for rent and utilities would be about $1,625 (30% of your monthly gross income). The average monthly rent for an apartment in KC is $1,256 — nearing the top of your budget.

Meanwhile, if you’re wondering how much you can currently afford to spend on buying a home in Kansas City, try using SmartAsset’s cost calculator.

Factors like your marital status, annual pre-tax income, down payment, and monthly debt, will help determine that figure. According to BestPlaces, the median home cost in Kansas City is $222,100.

Cost in KC vs. STL

Asked

What would you tell someone who is considering moving here about the cost of living?

A. This is a really affordable city to live
B. Prices are reasonable — not exorbitant, not cheap
C. Prepare yourself for sticker shock — it’s expensive

Show us the money

Events

Friday, July 12

Christmas In July | Friday, July 12 | 5-9 p.m. | Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium, KCMO | $20 | Get in the holiday spirit while it’s still hot out with food trucks, free rides, zoo trivia, yard games, and Christmas attire.
Art That Blows | Friday, July 12 | 5:30-10 p.m. | The Abbott, 1901 Cherry St., KCMO | $40-$125 | Browse + bid on over 100 one-of-a-kind art pieces made from unplayable musical instruments.
Cartoon Bartoon | Friday, July 12-Monday, Sept. 9 | Times vary | Vignettes, 2376 Armour Rd., KCMO | $5.75 to RSVP | Sugar, spice and everything nice... these are the ingredients chosen to make the perfect 90s cartoon pop up.

Saturday, July 13

Legends of Whiskey Summer Festival | Saturday, July 13 | 4 p.m. | Children’s Mercy Park, KCK | $50-$275 | Taste the “water of life” from notable whiskey companies hawking specialty spirits.

Sunday, July 14

Cardboard Boat Regatta | Sunday, July 14 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater St., Merriam, KS | $30 | Build a cardboard boat and race it across the pool against other creative competitors.
The Beach Boys | Sunday, July 14 | 8 p.m. | Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Rd., KCMO | $49.50-$179 | Round, round, I get around to see the iconic surf rock band perform live.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

The floor is lava. Lava Island, an indoor playground for all ages, will take over the space across from Chicken N Pickle in Prairiefire. The spot will feature everything from trampolines to a tricycle track, plus a cafe serving items like pizza + wings. Developers hope to open by Christmas. (Kansas City Business Journal)

Sports

The Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. just had a crowning achievement: he made MLB history as the first player to reach more than 60 home runs, 100 stolen bases, and 25 triples within 400 career games. The shortstop can’t be stopped. (Kansas City Star)

Civic

A new law requires local governments to get state approval before issuing evictions. Sparked by housing issues that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislation intends to create uniformity when addressing health emergencies. The law goes into effect Wednesday, Aug. 28. (Kansas City Star)

Travel

Get your sunscreen ready. Two new nonstop flights are landing at KCI. Alaska Airlines will fly from KC to Cancun beginning Saturday, Jan. 18; flights to Puerto Vallarta start Saturday, Jan 25.

Theater

KC playwright Grace Piper Fields’ new musical “Lorene’s Reverie” is showing Thursday, July 25-Saturday, July 27 at Music Theater Heritage (2450 Grand Blvd. Ste 301, KCMO). Based on her great-grandmother’s diaries, the play blends fantasy and reality while detailing the struggle of a woman in 20th century America. Tickets are $25-$55.

Wellness

Feeling lost in a sea of generic health advice? Lumen analyzes your unique metabolism with a single breath in the morning — and we scored you 15% off.*

Plan Ahead

🌻 Soak up the sunflowers

Soak up the sunflowers at this festival

Happiness is in full bloom. | Photo courtesy of KC Pumpkin Patch

Instagrammers, your time has come. The KC Sunflower Festival returns Friday Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 25. Hosted at the KC Pumpkin Patch (13874 S. Gardner Rd., Olathe, KS), this is the only time of the year that the sunflower fields will be open to the public.

After posing with the sunnies, you can enjoy the festival’s 60+ activities like a ninja course, skee ball, and corn cob beach.

Then, when you’re ready to cool off from all your fun in the sun, order food or sip wine slushies, cider, and beer from KC Wine Co.

Did that plant a seed for you? Get tickets for $14.95 online, $19.95 at the door.

Answered

How many domestic animals does KC allow?

We gave you a pop quiz and the majority of you came prepared — 43% of you correctly said four.

KC’s city ordinance allows each household up to four domestic animals (that covers dogs, cats, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and ferrets).

To the 25% of you that said there were no limits... better re-home your animal hoards.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Charmaine

From the editor

There are several stories I keep tabling due to KC’s never-ending news updates (looking at you, Chiefs and Royals stadiums).

Now that things are cooling off a bit, I plan to dive back into tracing the history of the old trolley tracks. If you have any specific ones that tickle your fancy, let me know.

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