Best Cities for Families in Kansas
Kansas ranks #26 of 50 for families, with a families score of 64.2. Leawood is its best city for families at 71.1.
- Kansas, all states
- #26 of 50
- Population
- 33,809
Kansas for Families: The Full Picture
Kansas lands in the middle of the pack for families at #26 out of 50 states. The state has genuine strengths — affordability scores excellent at 83/100 — but also areas that may give parents pause. A high school graduation rate of 89.1% is encouraging, and a typical home value of $249,603 keeps homeownership within reach.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Kansas shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 89.1%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 63/100. Center-based infant care costs $12,741 a year, below the 50-state average, easing the financial burden on young families.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Kansas faces elevated crime rates that families should factor into neighborhood selection at 457.2 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The low cost of living (index: 90.1) means family budgets stretch further here than in most states, leaving more room for savings, activities, and college funds.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Leawood | A+ | 71.1 | 72.6 | 64 | 95 | 50 | 33,809 |
| 2Olathe | A+ | 70.9 | 68.4 | 66 | 86 | 71 | 145,057 |
| 3Gardner | A | 70.0 | 64.8 | 67 | 86 | 73 | 24,526 |
| 4Prairie Village | A | 69.8 | 67.1 | 54 | 96 | 62 | 22,874 |
| 5Overland Park | A+ | 69.6 | 67.9 | 62 | 86 | 66 | 200,306 |
| 6Lenexa | A+ | 68.9 | 68.3 | 61 | 88 | 68 | 58,384 |
| 7Shawnee | A | 67.9 | 66.0 | 59 | 82 | 71 | 68,542 |
| 8Salina | B | 63.4 | 58.2 | 75 | 62 | 87 | 46,307 |
| 9Dodge City | B | 63.2 | 57.4 | 49 | 88 | 87 | 27,613 |
| 10Emporia | C+ | 61.1 | 53.7 | 66 | 76 | 91 | 24,131 |
| 11Lawrence | B | 59.8 | 56.0 | 47 | 65 | 78 | 96,051 |
| 12Garden City | B | 59.3 | 56.5 | 59 | 64 | 85 | 27,819 |
| 13Manhattan | C+ | 59.0 | 55.1 | 52 | — | 81 | 54,239 |
| 14Leavenworth | C+ | 58.7 | 53.0 | 52 | 66 | 79 | 37,195 |
| 15Derby | B | 58.4 | 55.8 | 54 | — | 81 | 26,062 |
| 16Junction City | C+ | 58.0 | 53.2 | 61 | 55 | 84 | 22,331 |
| 17Topeka | C | 54.6 | 50.5 | 66 | 26 | 86 | 125,786 |
| 18Hutchinson | C | 54.5 | 50.0 | 63 | 53 | 90 | 39,709 |
| 19Wichita | D | 49.9 | 47.1 | 60 | 10 | 84 | 397,945 |
| 20Kansas City | D | 49.5 | 45.5 | 47 | 22 | 82 | 155,135 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Kansas for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas a good state for families?
Kansas ranks #26 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 64.2/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (83/100) and its weakest is Livability (26/100).
What is the best city for families in Kansas?
Leawood ranks #1 in Kansas for families with a score of 71.1/100, followed by Olathe and Gardner.
What factors are most important for families in Kansas?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.