Kansas City has always been a place where you can get a decent house without auctioning off your family heirlooms. But, like everywhere else, the market has been heating up, and finding an affordable place with enough space is starting to feel like a game of musical chairs—except when the music stops, the rent’s gone up 10%. Luckily, there are still some affordable Kansas City suburbs where you can get more bang for your buck. Let’s take a closer look at seven of the top contenders.
Kansas City’s housing market at a glance
Kansas City’s cost of living is still more manageable than in many larger metro areas, but housing prices have been creeping upward. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, finding an affordable place with enough space is getting trickier. Here’s a quick look at Kansas City’s current housing prices before we dive into the best budget-friendly suburbs.
| Average 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City | $1,362 |
| Average 2-bedroom rent in Kansas City | $1,754 |
| Median home price in Kansas City | $255,000 |
1. Grandview
A suburb where you can walk the same land young Harry Truman farmed, then spend the afternoon learning how to fish at Longview Lake.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $915
- Distance from Kansas City: 15 miles south
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 20 minutes
Coming in at $915 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Grandview is one of the best deals left in the Kansas City area. Harry S. Truman’s Farm Home is here, which means you can literally walk the same land as a former president (and still afford rent, unlike in D.C.). Longview Lake and Beach gives you water access for boating and fishing, while Meadowmere Park has walking trails, an amphitheater, and a solid community center. Housing options include affordable apartments, older single-family homes, and fixer-uppers that could turn into goldmines if you’re willing to swing a hammer.
2. Leavenworth
A place where you can ride a historic carousel, tour a military museum, and remind visitors that, no, you don’t actually live inside the prison.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $995
- Distance from Kansas City: 35 miles northwest
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 40 minutes
With an average monthly rent of $995 for a 1-bedroom, Leavenworth is for people who want to live in a town with actual history (and no, not just the prison). The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is here and full of vintage carousels. The Frontier Army Museum showcases military artifacts, because if you’re going to live near a major Army base, you might as well embrace it. And if you just want a place to clear your head, Leavenworth Landing Park offers scenic views along the Missouri River. Housing in Leavenworth is a mix of spacious single-family homes, historic properties, and apartments that don’t require a six-figure salary.
3. Blue Springs
A town where you can spend the day hiking scenic trails, boating on the lake, or just embracing the fact that you’re getting a way better deal on rent than your friends living in Kansas City.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,025
- Distance from Kansas City: 19 miles east
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 25 minutes
At $1,025 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Blue Springs is for people who love nature but also want to be able to order takeout without driving 40 minutes. Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area has hiking trails and a nature center where you can finally take up birdwatching. Blue Springs Lake is great for boating, fishing, and camping. Housing options in Blue Springs range from suburban homes with yards to affordable apartments to newer townhomes that don’t feel like a shoebox.
4. Prairie Village
A suburb where you can sip coffee at a boutique café, stroll through an art festival, and actually feel like you belong.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,033
- Distance from Kansas City: 9 miles southwest
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 15 minutes
Sitting at a monthly average of $1,033 for a 1-bedroom, Prairie Village is for people who like their suburbs with a side of arts and culture. The Shops of Prairie Village provide boutique shopping and dining that doesn’t feel like it was mass-produced in a corporate office. Harmon Park has tennis courts, a skate park, and a community pool, and the Prairie Village Art Show is an extremely popular annual event showcasing regional artists.
5. Mission
A place where your entertainment options range from local theater performances to watching people wipe out on a lazy river.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,069
- Distance from Kansas City: 8 miles southwest
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 15 minutes
At $1,069 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Mission is for those who want convenience and a slightly quirky local scene. The Barn Players Community Theatre gives you an excuse to check out local talent without dealing with downtown parking. Mission Market is a seasonal farmers market where you can buy fresh produce that will motivate you to start cooking more. Housing in Mission includes apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes that don’t yet cost more than your life savings.
6. Independence
A city on the rise that has more history than most people realize.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,210
- Distance from Kansas City: 10 miles east
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 15 minutes
With an average rent of $1,210 per month for a 1-bedroom, Independence is for history buffs, American history fanatics, and people who enjoy a little more space. The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum gives you a deep dive into one of the most consequential U.S. presidents, while Vaile Mansion has stunning Victorian-era architecture and enough historic charm to make you briefly forget about modern problems. Independence Square is a hub of shopping and dining with old-school charm where locals love to spend a sunny Saturday.
7. Shawnee
A town where you can learn about 1920s small-town life, visit a brewery, and then try not to get lost in an enormous children’s museum.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,272
- Distance from Kansas City: 12 miles west
- Drive time to Kansas City: About 20 minutes
Rounding out our list at $1,272 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Shawnee is where families, young professionals, and beer lovers all coexist peacefully. Shawnee Town 1929 is a living history museum that reminds you how much easier life is with modern plumbing. Wonderscope Children’s Museum keeps kids entertained while parents wonder why they had them in the first place. And Servaes Brewing Company serves up small-batch beers for when you need something stronger than water.
Find the affordable Kansas City suburb for you
If you’re looking for the cheapest rent, Grandview and Leavenworth are your best bets. If you want historic charm, Independence brings a mix of history and affordability. And if you’re after modern suburban convenience, Shawnee has plenty of new developments without total sticker shock.
No matter where you end up, these affordable Kansas City suburbs offer lower prices, more space, and a shot at keeping some money in your pocket—because let’s be honest, that’s getting harder to do everywhere these days.
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one-bedroom rent was less than Kansas City’s average rent and under 40 miles from downtown Kansas City. Average rental data from Kansas City rental market trends in February, 2025. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
