Kansas City, KS Homes For Rent

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

Kansas City, Kansas – KCK for short – is located in the eastern part of the state. Don’t confuse it with its neighbor, Kansas City, Missouri. They share a name but KCK is no second fiddle. It pulls its own weight as a player in the thriving metropolitan area.

Local History 

The city got its name from its namesake in Missouri, which was called Town of Kansas in 1850. The name was chosen in honor of the area’s Kansa tribe. In 1853, Missouri incorporated the town as the City of Kansas, and later renamed it Kansas City. At this time, settlements were also being established in Wyandotte County on the Kansas side of the Missouri River. In 1872, the area was incorporated as Kansas City, Kansas. The residents wanted to capitalize on the success of their Missouri counterpart. Also, they felt entitled to use the name because it’s the same name as their state.

Job Opportunities 

KCK is the seat of Wyandotte County. The city and county are both thriving and benefitting from the presence of companies like General Motors, Kellogg’s, Dairy Farmers of America, Kraft Tank, and Plastic Omnium. KCK’s largest employers include the University of Kansas Hospital (6,500 employees), Cerner Corporation Continuous Campus (4,000 employees), and General Motors Fairfax plant (3,998).

Cost of Living 

If your ideal city is neither too big nor too small and affordable, check out KCK (population: 152,960). Its cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 8.4%, 21.7%, and 18.1% lower than the national average, respectively. The median rent in the city is $860. Kansas collects 3.10% to 5.70% in income tax and 6.50% to 10.50% in sales tax. Inheritances are exempted from income tax in Kansas. 

Know Your Neighborhoods

One of the perks of living downtown is access to Big Eleven Lake, a 3.8-acre manmade fishing lake and a perfect setting for outings. Also, you’ll be close to the Strawberry Hill neighborhood where you’ll find authentic Kansas City barbecue. Suburbanites are attracted to Edwardsville and Bonner Springs for their good schools, safety, and proximity to KCK. Edwardsville has an idyllic rural landscape where deer still roam. 

Local Culture 

African American musicians in Kansas City, both in Kansas and Missouri, developed a style of jazz in the 1920s and 1930s. Called Kansas City Jazz, it combined blues with ragtime. Charles “Bird” Parker, born in KCK but raised across the state line, was among the musicians who popularized the style. Today you’ll find a special memorial honoring Parker along Big Eleven Lake downtown.