3 Johnson County cities top list of best places to live in Kansas, report says
With the World Cup, Taylor Swift and world-famous barbecue, the Kansas City area is becoming the newest destination for people from all over the world. But what is the best place to live?
The U.S. News & World Report recently selected the besttcities to live in Kansas, and the top three cities are all in Johnson County.
No. 1 on the list is Shawnee. Located in the northern part of Johnson County, Shawnee is ranked the best place to live in Kansas. The population is 68,918, and if you don’t enjoy driving far to work, the average commute is about 21 minutes. Shawnee has a median home value of $360,688 and the average monthly rent coming out to $1,205.
Second on the list is Olathe. Located in the central part Johnson County, Olathe is home to 149,608 people, and the average commute is about 19 minutes. Olathe offers similar housing options to Shawnee, with a median home value of $364,551 and average monthly rent of $1,214.
Third on the ranking is Overland Park. Located near Olathe and Shawnee, Overland Park has a population of 205,979, making it the second-biggest city in the state, and the average commute is about 19 minutes. The housing is slightly more expensive in Overland Park than in Shawnee and Olathe, but you can still find affordable options with a median home value of $405,127 and average monthly rent of $1,255.
Fourth on the list of best places to live in Kansas is Lawrence. Home to the University of Kansas, Lawrence offers less expensive housing than the Johnson County cities. The median home value comes out to $273,295, and the average monthly rent is $886. The population is about 98,039 people, and the average commute is about 16 minutes.
Fifth on the list is Topeka. The state capital offers the most affordable housing options out of the cities with a median home value of $151,274 and average monthly rent of $738. The average commute is also not far; you can anticipate about 14 minutes of driving, and the population is about 127,815 people.
Sixth on the ranking is Wichita. Wichita features Wichita State University and is home to the largest population in Kansas, 409,257 people. Wichita offers affordable housing with a median home value of $203,877 and an average monthly rent of $751. The average commute in Wichita is about 17 minutes.
Seventh on the list in Kansas City, Kansas. Adjacent to Kansas City, Missouri, the city is home to 158,002 people, and the average commute is 20 minutes. The median home value is $173,813, and the average monthly rent is $871.
Last on the list is Manhattan. Manhattan houses Kansas State University and is home to about 58,846. The median home value is $244,461, and the average monthly rent is $930. The average commute is about 13 minutes.
