Kansas City, MO Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Kansas City, MO: What You Need to Know

If you’re moving to Kansas City, Missouri, start calling it KCMO now. It’s the best way to avoid confusing it with its neighbor, Kansas City, Kansas. KCMO is older, more populous, and bigger than its namesake.

The Local History

John Calvin McCoy of Indiana laid out Westport in 1833 as an outfitting post for western overland expeditions. Nearby Independence was the main river port for supplies taken to Westport until McCoy found an easier landing spot on the Missouri River banks that was closer to Westport. In 1850, the area was chartered as the town of Kansas, named after Kansas River, which in turn got its name from the Kansa tribe. In 1889, the town became Kansas City to distinguish it from Kansas Territory. It didn’t stop a town on the Kansas side of the Missouri River to adopt the same name in 1872.

Job Opportunities

KCMO anchors the Kansas City metropolitan area, consisting of 15 counties in Missouri and Kansas and includes Kansas City, Kansas. The metro area enjoys a diverse economic base. Hallmark Cards, Burns & McDonnell (architecture and engineering), Commerce Bank, and UMB Financial are based in KCMO. Other major employers are Cerner Corp. (health care information systems) and Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics.

The Local Sports Scene

Sports fans have a team to cheer on throughout the year in KCMO, home to the Kansas City Royals (MLB), which has won two World Series titles, and Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), winner of two Super Bowl titles. Other KCMO teams are Sporting Kansas City (MLS), FC Kansas City (women’s soccer), Kansas City T-Bones (American Association of Independent Professional Baseball), Missouri Mavericks (Central Hockey League), and Kansas City Storm (United Women’s Football Association).

The Cost of Living in Kansas City

KCMO (population: 495,327) is slightly more expensive than the other Kansas City, but it’s also more than twice the size of its namesake. KCMO’s cost of living rate and housing costs are 8.4% and 13.4% lower than the national average, respectively, but its food cost is 3% higher than the national average. The median gross rent in KCMO is $899, and the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,184. Missouri levies 0%-5.40% in state income tax depending on one’s earnings. It charges 4.225% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

KCMO boasts of a walkable downtown, a close-knit community, and excellent amenities. About 47% of the city’s residents rent. If affordability is a concern, living across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, is slightly less expensive, plus it will give you access to Big Eleven Lake. Check out other suburbs in Kansas State such as Leawood and Prairie Village. They’re close to KCMO and are known for their above-average schools. Prairie Village gets kudos for its safe environment.