Best Neighborhoods in Kansas City, MO for Renters

Kansas City sits where the Missouri and Kansas rivers merge and stretches across 317 square miles of the Midwest. With a population of more than 530,000, it's a city where renters can find value without sacrificing easy access to culture, food, and entertainment. Whether you're drawn to converted warehouse lofts near gallery rows, walkable streets lined with boutique shops, or quieter blocks close to parks and trails, the city offers a wide range of neighborhoods to choose from. 

We’ve compiled a list of the best places to rent in Kansas City based on the following factors:

• Rental availability
• Average rent relative to other neighborhoods in the city
• Proximity to points of interest like work hubs, universities, downtown areas, shopping centers, or major parks
• Niche.com’s neighborhood report cards

The five best neighborhoods in Kansas City for renters are:

1. Crossroads
2. River Market
3. Country Club Plaza
4. Old Westport
5. Waldo

Crossroads

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City: $1,251/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Crossroads: $1,618/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Crossroads: 849 sq. ft.

Why Crossroads is good for renters

Crossroads is Kansas City's creative hub, where former industrial buildings have been converted into loft-style apartments, art galleries, and craft breweries. First Fridays, a monthly gallery walk that draws thousands of visitors, happens right outside your door. Crossroads sit just south of downtown, putting the Power & Light District and T-Mobile Center within easy reach. Renters here benefit from the KC Streetcar line nearby and walkable streets filled with coffee shops, restaurants, and studios.

Keep in mind

Street parking fills up quickly on First Friday evenings and most weekends, so renters without a dedicated parking spot may need to plan accordingly.

River Market

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City: $1,251/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in River Market: $1,576/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in River Market: 837 sq. ft.

Why River Market is good for renters

River Market is one of Kansas City's most walkable neighborhoods, anchored by the historic City Market, one of Midwest’s largest open-air farmers markets. The KC Streetcar runs directly through the neighborhood, connecting renters to downtown and Union Station without needing a car. Modern loft apartments and newer mid-rise communities sit steps from the Berkley Riverfront trail, where renters can bike, run, or walk along the Missouri River and enjoy views of the downtown skyline.

Keep in mind

River Market is one of the more active neighborhoods on weekends when the City Market draws large crowds, so renters who prefer a quieter atmosphere could find River Market too busy.

Country Club Plaza

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City: $1,251/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Country Club Plaza: $1,267/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Country Club Plaza: 677 sq. ft.

Why Country Club Plaza is good for renters

Developed in the 1920s and taking inspiration from Spanish architecture, Country Club Plaza is one of the most recognizable shopping and dining districts in the Midwest. Renters here live within walking distance of upscale shops, well-known restaurants, and Loose Park — a 75-acre green space with rose gardens, walking paths, and a pond. The neighborhood offers a mix of apartment communities, from classic brick buildings to newer high-rise options and provides easy access to both Midtown and the Plaza Area's employment corridors.

Keep in mind

Traffic along Ward Parkway and 47th Street can back up during peak hours and during the Plaza's popular holiday lighting event each November.

Old Westport

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City: $1,251/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Old Westport: $1,315/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Old Westport: 694 sq. ft.

Why Old Westport is good for renters

Old Westport is one of Kansas City's oldest commercial districts, originally developed to serve as a major outfitting point for westward wagon trains in the 1800s. Today, Old Westport is home to a dense concentration of live music venues, bars, and independent restaurants along Westport Road. The neighborhood keeps renters within walking distance of Kelly's Westport Inn, one of the oldest bars in Missouri, as well as record shops, bookstores, and late-night spots. Its location is just north of Country Club Plaza, meaning renters have easy access to the Plaza's shops and Loose Park.

Keep in mind

Westport Road is a nightlife corridor, so renters in the immediate area should expect some noise on weekend evenings.

Waldo

• Average 1-bedroom rent in Kansas City: $1,251/month
• Average 1-bedroom rent in Waldo: $1,291/month
• Average 1-bedroom size in Waldo: 763 sq. ft.

Why Waldo is good for renters

Waldo is a residential, affordable neighborhood in Kansas City with a strong local identity built around its stretch of 75th Street, where you'll find neighborhood bars, restaurants, and shops. The Trolley Track Trail, a paved multi-use path popular with cyclists and runners, runs through the neighborhood, connecting Waldo to Brookside and the Plaza Area. Renters here tend to find a quieter pace compared to more central neighborhoods, with bungalow-style homes and a mix of smaller apartment communities.

Keep in mind

Waldo is more car-dependent than neighborhoods closer to the KC Streetcar line, so renters without a vehicle will want to check options carefully before committing to a specific address. 

Ready to Make the Move?

If Kansas City has caught your eye, take the next step with Apartments.com! Whether you’re dropping in for a short-term lease or hoping to set down roots, Apartments.com has the tools to help you find the perfect place. Navigate housing across neighborhoods with our customized search engine and use our customizable filters to narrow your search by price, amenities, and floor plan.

Wherever you are and wherever you’re going, the options are endless with Apartments.com

Methodology

Rent and cost of living data are sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages and Cost of Living Calculator. Walkability, transit, drivability, and bikeablity ratings are sourced from the Apartments.com Area Guides, courtesy of Local Logic.