Kansas City vs. St. Louis: Which is Better?

Kansas City and St. Louis are well-known cities in the Midwest region.

There is a lot of similarity between these two cities regarding climates, their downtown areas are similar in size and scale, and they both have professional sports teams.

But there are also some crucial differences between them that you should consider before deciding which place is best for you.

Is it cheaper to live in Kansas City or St. Louis?

Despite their proximity, the cost of living in Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Louis, Missouri, is relatively similar.

In both cities, groceries are about the same price, gas is a bit more expensive in KC, and housing is significantly more expensive in KC.

On average, the cost of living in Kansas City is 6.3% higher than in St. Louis.

The cost of living in most cities is influenced by the cost of housing, which is true in Kansas City and St. Louis.

But other things matter when determining whether a city is expensive, and it’s not even the most critical factor.

KC and St. Louis are affordable when considering factors like transportation, health care, and utilities, which tend to take up a much larger part of your budget than housing does.

Is St. Louis safer than Kansas City?

Both St. Louis and Kansas City have a lot of crime, and when it comes to violent incidents, the cities have similar numbers.

However, St. Louis tends to have more serious crimes and even ranks as one of the most dangerous large cities in the U.S.

While walking around either city, you’re probably not overly concerned about your personal safety, but you might be thinking more about how secure your home and family are.

That’s where the real difference lies: property crimes.

When it comes to burglaries, thefts, vandalism, and the like, St. Louis has a noticeably higher rate compared to Kansas City.

So if home security is a major concern for you, Kansas City offers more safe neighborhoods and peace of mind in that regard.

Is it worth moving to Kansas City?

If you’re looking for a place to call home, Kansas City has something for everyone.

Experience Convenient KC Transportation

Kansas City has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, light rail, and commuter rail.

Many residents use this system to get around town, making it easy to get around if you don’t have a car or want to save on gas and parking fees.

Scrumptious barbecue

Kansas City is known as the world’s barbecue capital because it has some of the best restaurants!

Whether you like ribs, sausage, or pulled pork, there are plenty of options for you to enjoy during your lunch break or after work on Friday night when you want to unwind with friends from work.

Plenty of recreational and entertainment options

Kansas City is home to world-class museums, theaters, parks, restaurants, and more.

Kansas City has a thriving arts community with several national venues, including the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Starlight Theatre, and Swope Park.

Excellent educational opportunities

Kansas City Public Schools is one of the largest urban school districts in the country, with more than 1305 schools serving more than 400,000 students.

Kansas City offers several magnet schools that are consistently rated among the best in Missouri by U.S. News & World Report, as well as charter schools, private schools, and parochial schools that consistently rank high on state lists.

Low cost of living

The cost of living in Kansas City is lower than in most cities in the United States.

The average home price in Kansas City is $236,000 compared to $427,000 nationally.

Housing prices are lower because there are less expensive homes available than in other cities like New York or San Francisco.

On the other hand, there are some downsides of living in Kansas.

Tornadoes are an annual event in Kansas

The weather in Kansas can be unpredictable. Tornadoes are so common that they have their season.

Kansas isn’t the place for you if you don’t like getting stuck in your house all day because of a tornado watch or warning.

Excise Tax

If you like to party, you might think twice about moving to Kansas.

The excise tax on alcohol is exceptionally high and can add up quickly if you’re not careful with your money!

There are also many other fees associated with alcohol sales that make buying alcohol in Kansas very expensive compared to other states that don’t have such high taxes or fees related to liquor sales and consumption.

Traveling Problems

If you want to get out of the state of Kansas when vacationing or traveling for business purposes, this isn’t the best place for you either!

With only one major airport and limited public transportation options.

Is moving to St. Louis worth it?

The following are just a few reasons why St. Louis is the perfect place for you:

A modest cost of living

St. Louis has a relatively low living cost, making it a great place to settle down and raise a family.

The average home costs less than $235,000 in St. Louis, which is less than half the national average.

Tasty regional foods to try

St. Louis is known for having some of the best food in the country, so try some delicious local favorites when you move here.

Local restaurants serve amazing dishes like gooey butter cake and homemade pizza with thick crusts and fresh ingredients.

Excellent higher education options

If you want to return to school after graduating high school, many excellent colleges and universities in St. Louis will prepare you well for your career.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis offers several associate degree programs and bachelor’s degrees in business management, accounting, or criminal justice administration.

Other schools include Webster University and Washington University in St. Louis.

Just like Kansas St. Lois has its cons also:

High crime rates and homelessness

St. Louis has high crime rates with this many homeless people; there is a lot of crime associated with them, such as panhandling, drug use/sales, theft, and prostitution.

St. Louis also has an issue with gangs like Vice Lords and Black P Stones, which cause trouble throughout the city and suburbs.

Noticeable discrimination and segregation

Although St. Louis is not as segregated as it was in times past, there are still clear race relations issues between blacks and whites, such as white flight from black neighborhoods into almost all-white ones and racial profiling by police officers towards African Americans.

Conclusion

So, which is better? Well- there needs to be a definitive answer to that question. Kansa City and St. Louis are both excellent cities; each has its pros and cons, as outlined above. Both of them have different strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges.

Some people might prefer Kansas City; others might enjoy the advantages St. Louis brings to the table.

For some people like you, it might be a matter of knowing where you want to live first and then deciding whether the other city is closer or more convenient.

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