Best Cities for Young Professionals in Kansas
Kansas ranks #29 of 50 for young professionals, with a young professionals score of 52.1. Leawood is its best city for young professionals at 67.4.
- Kansas, all states
- #29 of 50
- Population
- 33,809
Kansas for Young Professionals: The Full Picture
Kansas ranks #29 out of 50 for young professionals, landing in the middle of the pack. The state's economy scores 45/100, though with 3.8% unemployment and a median household income of $75,514. Modest population growth of 0.4% suggests a stable but not booming market.
For young professionals, the equation comes down to earning potential versus cost of living. Kansas's cost-of-living index of 90.1 is significantly below the national average, meaning entry-level salaries go further here than in most metros. Growth metrics are moderate, so career advancement may depend more on specific industries than broad market expansion.
Beyond the paycheck, livability matters. Kansas's livability score of 26/100 is modest, which may matter to young professionals who value nightlife, dining, and cultural events. Transportation infrastructure scores well (56/100), with options beyond car dependency.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Young Professionals
| # City | Grade | Young Professionals score | Overall | Economy | Growth | Walkability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Leawood | A+ | 67.4 | 72.6 | 89 | 48 | 46 | 33,809 |
| 2Lenexa | A+ | 66.3 | 68.3 | 69 | 63 | 50 | 58,384 |
| 3Olathe | A+ | 64.8 | 68.4 | 73 | 52 | 46 | 145,057 |
| 4Overland Park | A+ | 64.4 | 67.9 | 69 | 49 | 54 | 200,306 |
| 5Shawnee | A | 62.5 | 66.0 | 71 | 47 | 44 | 68,542 |
| 6Prairie Village | A | 62.3 | 67.1 | 68 | 36 | 54 | 22,874 |
| 7Gardner | A | 61.1 | 64.8 | 65 | 58 | 40 | 24,526 |
| 8Salina | B | 56.4 | 58.2 | 51 | 45 | 62 | 46,307 |
| 9Manhattan | C+ | 56.0 | 55.1 | 52 | 52 | 42 | 54,239 |
| 10Lawrence | B | 55.3 | 56.0 | 51 | 42 | 45 | 96,051 |
| 11Dodge City | B | 55.2 | 57.4 | 55 | 38 | 42 | 27,613 |
| 12Garden City | B | 54.4 | 56.5 | 58 | 37 | 45 | 27,819 |
| 13Derby | B | 54.2 | 55.8 | 58 | 46 | 35 | 26,062 |
| 14Junction City | C+ | 53.7 | 53.2 | 45 | 64 | 35 | 22,331 |
| 15Topeka | C | 51.2 | 50.5 | 45 | 42 | 61 | 125,786 |
| 16Emporia | C+ | 50.2 | 53.7 | 37 | 33 | 43 | 24,131 |
| 17Hutchinson | C | 50.2 | 50.0 | 45 | 43 | 39 | 39,709 |
| 18Leavenworth | C+ | 49.9 | 53.0 | 49 | 33 | 35 | 37,195 |
| 19Wichita | D | 49.2 | 47.1 | 47 | 44 | 55 | 397,945 |
| 20Kansas City | D | 47.6 | 45.5 | 43 | 42 | 51 | 155,135 |
City young professionals 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.
Compare: States with Similar Young Professionals Rankings
Also See: Kansas for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kansas a good state for young professionals?
Kansas ranks #29 out of 50 for young professionals with a persona-weighted score of 52.1/100. Its strongest relevant category is Affordability (83/100) and its weakest is Livability (26/100).
What is the best city for young professionals in Kansas?
Leawood ranks #1 in Kansas for young professionals with a score of 67.4/100, followed by Lenexa and Olathe.
What factors are most important for young professionals in Kansas?
Rankings weighted toward job market strength, economic growth, affordable living, transportation, and vibrant community life — the factors that attract ambitious young professionals.