Kansas City is straddles the states of Kansas and Missouri, with the Missouri River creating a natural dividing line between the two sides. On the Missouri side, Kansas City is the largest city in the state of Missouri with a population of approximately 480,000. It’s the third largest city in Kansas with a population of approximately 146,000. When moving to KC, you’ll want to consider the area’s tax rates, climate, schools, crime rate, and employment opportunities.
Tax Rates
Tax rates in each state differ only slightly. Kansas has a higher property tax and sales tax rate, while Missouri has a higher income tax rate. The income tax rate in Kansas is 2.7% to 4.6%, with the highest rate applying to incomes over $15,000. The income tax rate for Missouri is 1.5% to 6% with the highest rate applying to incomes over $9,072. Property taxes in Kansas are 1.29%, while property taxes on the other side of the river are 0.91%. The sales tax rate in Kansas is 6.5%, while the sales tax rate in Missouri is just 4.23%. If you work in Kansas, but live in Missouri, you’ll have to file a Kansas return as a “Non-Resident,“ and vice versa.
Climate
Kansas City boasts all four seasons and is on the edge of “Tornado Alley.” July is typically the hottest month with an average high of around 88.8 degrees, while January is the coldest month with temperatures that dip down into the teens and 20s. The annual snowfall is recorded at the Kansas City International Airport at approximately 18 inches.
Schools
Kansas City, Missouri has 16 school districts, many of which are nationally ranked. Additionally, the area has numerous private schools and several universities, colleges, and seminaries. The largest university is the University of Missouri. Kansas City, Kansas only has four school districts and is home to the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Crime Rate
The violent crime rate in Kansas City, KS is 91, which is much higher than the violent crime rate in Kansas City, MO rate of 48.9. Property crime rates in both sides of KC are about the same – in Kansas it’s 65.7, while it’s around 63.7 in Missouri.
Employment
Kansas City, Missouri’s major employers include the public-school system, the federal government, and the state/county/city government. It serves as the headquarters for several major corporations including Applebee’s, Cerner, Hallmark Cards, Hostess Brands, Russell Stover Candies, and Walton Construction. Kansas City, Kansas top employers include: University of Kansas Hospital and Medical Center, General Motors Corporation, the school district, and Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad.
Amenities
Kansas City, Kansas, with its smaller population, offers a smaller town feeling, while Kansas City, Missouri offers more amenities, such as the International Airport, the Kauffman Center, the Sprint Center, and the Kansas City Convention Center. It’s also home to the Kansas City Chiefs, a football team in the National Football League as well as the Kansas City Royals, a Major League Baseball team.
No matter which side of Kansas City you choose to call home, you’ll find that this area is a great place to live. It boasts low living and housing costs, wonderful schools, and ample job opportunities. As you transition to Kansas City, we hope you’ll call on us to assist! Let us pair you with the best moving companies in KC for a smooth and stress-free relocation.