2022 Ratings & Rankings
KC Communities Rank High in LGBTQ+ Equality
In the 2022 Municipal Equality Index - which examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of LGBTQ+ people who live and work there - Kansas City, Missouri, and Lawrence, Kansas, scored a perfect 100. Additionally, Overland Park, Kansas, and Topeka, Kansas earned high marks of 92 and 87, respectively. Human Rights Campaign, November 2022
KC is a Top 10 U.S. City for Foreign Businesses
Kansas City ranked as a top city for foreign multinationals to do business, with particularly high marks for business environment, aftercare and foreign business needs. Financial Times / Nikkei, October 2022
KC Suburb is No. 1 Farmer's Market in the Nation
The Overland Park Farmers Market was voted the top farmers' market in the 14th annual America's Farmers Market Celebration. American Farmland Trust, September 2022
Four KC Region Suburbs Rank in Top 100 in U.S.
Four KC region suburbs - Smithville, MO; Cameron, MO; Lenexa, KS; and Belton, MO - made the top 100 in SmartAsset's list of best suburbs to live in near a large city, with rankings based on jobs, affordability and livability. SmartAsset, September 2022
KC Noted as an Underrated Travel Destination
CNN Travel named Kansas City as one of 22 travel destinations that are "refreshingly underrated." KC was described as "all about sound and flavor," recognizing the region's music, barbecue, sports and arts & culture amenities. CNN Travel, September 2022
KC Rises Among Midwest Cities for Startups
Kansas City rose to No. 11 of 59 in M25's annual ranking of Midwest startup cities — which explores how micro-environments in the Midwest are performing in relation to each other on key factors like startup activity, access to resources and business climate. M25, August 2022
KC is a Top City for Gamers
Kansas City ranked as the No. 2 city across the U.S. and Canada, based on metrics that include cost of living, internet speed and number of retail stores offering video games and computer equipment. Time2play, August 2022
Kansas City is No. 1 Location Worldwide for a Workcation
In an index of the best destinations for those looking to travel and focus on their wellness alongside a remote working schedule, City was recognized as No. 1 worldwide, the only city from the U.S. to make the top 10. Icelandair, June 2022
KC Ranks in Top 5 for First-Time Home Buyers
The KC metro area ranked No. 4 in a national list of best spots for first-time homebuyers, based on housing prices, market tightness, crime rates, employment environment and health and wellness. Bankrate, June 2022
KC Recognized as Top City to Visit
KC ranks No. 3 on MSN's list of top cities to visit in the U.S., recognizing the region for great food, sports and a rich culture of music and art. MSN, May 2022
KC-Area College Ranks As Top Location for Veterans
For the second year in a row, the University of Kansas has been ranked the No. 5 best school in the country for veterans. KU has been ranked in the top ten since 2018 and landed in the top five in 2021 and 2022.
Military Friendly, April 2022
KC Ranks as Eighth-Hottest U.S. Job Market
In an analysis from The Wall Street Journal, Kansas City's job market landed high among metros with at least 1 million people, racing ahead of many bigger cities.
The Wall Street Journal, April 2022
KC is a "Paw-fect" Place for Pooches
Dogs are right at home in Kansas City, where Livability listed it as a top region for dogs and their pet-parents, citing great parks for walks and the Royals "Bark at the Park" event.
Livability, March 2022
Overland Park is No. 1 Best City to Buy a House
KC neighborhood, Overland Park, was recognized in Niche's list of "2022 Best Cities to Buy a House in America," earning As in Public Schools, Housing, Good for Families, Diversity and more.
Niche, March 2022
KC Streetcar Awarded for Security by TSA
The Kansas City Streetcard was recently recognized by the Transportation Security Administration with a Gold Standard Award - the highest award given by TSA to transit agencies, granted based on security and preparedness.
KC Streetcar, March 2022
9 KC-area companies make Inc.'s fastest-growing Midwest businesses ranking
Nine Kansas City-area companies made the cut for the "Inc. 5000 Regionals: Midwest" ranking, which highlights the fastest-growing private companies in the Midwest.
Inc., March 2022
Kansas City is a "Rising Star" for Tech Jobs
KC was recognized as a "rising star" by Brookings Institution for its brisk pace of tech job growth in the last several years, even continuing to add jobs during the first year of the pandemic.
Brookings, March 2022
KC Taco and Breakfast Pizzas Rank High
Kansas City ranked among the top cities in Anytime Estimate's list of Best Pizza Cities in America, earning No. 3 for taco pizza and No. 2 for breakfast pizza. Anytime Estimate, March 2022
KC Area Museum Earns National Accredidation
The Johnson County Museum recently achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. American Alliance of Museums, March 2022
KC Suburb is One of the Happiest Cities in America
Overland Park ranked as the No. 8 happiest city in the nation, scoring high marks in emotional & physical well-being, income & employment, and community & environment. WalletHub, March 2022
Folk Music Scene is Strong in KC
According to research by Clever, Kansas City, Missouri, ranks as the No. 2 best U.S. city for folk music. Clever, February 2022
KC Hospitals Rank Among the Best in the Nation
Five hospitals in the KC region recently joined Healthgrade's "America's 250 Best Hospitals 2022" list. University of Kansas Hospital ranked in the top 50; Research Medical Center, Providence Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center placed in the top 5% for "overall clinical excellence." Healthgrade, February 2022
KC is a Top 10 City for Launching a Business
The only Midwest city to make the top 10, Kansas City was recognized as a prime location for launching a business, noted for local support from homegrown investors and low filing costs. Real Estate Witch, January 2022
KC Ranks as a Best Place for Moviemakers
Kansas City was recently recognized by MovieMaker as an ideal spot for moviemakers, noted for its many different "looks" - conducive to portraying various locales - as well as a culture that is highly supportive of creatives. MovieMaker, January 2022
Kansas City Recognized as a Top Choice for Creatives
Kansas City's barbecue, affordable rent and distinction as "City of Music" earned it a ranking on Thrillist's "Great American Cities for Creatives" list. Thrillist, January 2022
KC Restaurant Ranks in America's Top 100 Restaurants
Prairie Village's Café Provence has been named one of America’s top 100 restaurants for 2021 by OpenTable. This is the eatery’s eighth appearance on the list in the past 10 years. OpenTable, January 2022
KC Region Ranks No. 3 in Nation for High-Paying Occupation
According to U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best Jobs ranking, psychiatrists in the KC region are the third-highest paid in the country. U.S. News & World Report, January 2022
KC Region Recognized as a Top Location for Veterans
The Kansas City Metro Area was recognized in the top 10 U.S. cities for veteran entrepreneurs and was among four "emerging cities," noted for making the most progress since the previous year's study. PenFed Foundation, November 2021