Money’s on everyone’s mind — see how KC stacks up.
By Addie Linn
KC’s affordability isn’t just measured in numbers; it’s felt in everyday life. Meet two Kansas Citians whose stories show how dollars stretch further here, and what that means for the lives they’re building.
Jack Carr
30, Human Resources Professional, H&R Block
Limoni, IA → KC
🏡 West Plaza
💼 Rising Professional
🐕 Dog Dad
⛷️ Travel Bug
As a recent graduate of Graceland University, Jack was contemplating his next move. With a small-town past, he had an appetite for city life and narrowed it down to two options — KC and Houston. After weighing factors like cost-of-living, job opportunities and proximity to family, he chose KC.
Outside of work, Jack stays active in KC Crew’s recreational sports leagues and gives back through his position on the Love Fund’s Emerging Leader Board. At home, he’s just as committed — adopting his dog, Saint, from a local shelter, KC Pet Project.
Following a handful of rental situations, from having roommates downtown to living solo in the suburbs, Jack eventually decided to buy. He saved up for a down payment and snagged a quality condo in the West Plaza neighborhood.
“I was trying to identify places that I knew were going to grow in value,” Jack said. “My mortgage is about the same, or sometimes even less, when compared to rent. And it’s going towards my assets and equity.”
Everyday luxuries: The cushion in Jack’s budget allows him to splurge on a healthforward meal delivery service — roughly $12 a meal — saving him some precious time. On the weekends, he’s an avid golfer with friends.
More disposable moolah: With Jack’s everyday life expenses in check, he’s able to fund one of his passions — travel. “Every year, I go on a pretty big ski trip to Utah or Colorado with 12 or more buddies. It’s certainly not cheap! When I plan these trips with my friends, I know it’s going to be around $1,000 for lift tickets, lodging and skis.”
KC is the ultimate home base for travel enthusiasts. Not only does the cost of living afford you more jet-setting opportunities, but the central location in the U.S. (and beautiful new airport terminal) makes it easy to get away. Three-hour non-stop flights to either coast, easy. Ka-ching! Ka-ching!
Jenn Miller
39, Director Of Business Development, Henderson Building Solutions
Ft. Lauderdale, Ll → Nashville, TN → KC
🏡 Lee’s Summit
📈 Business Leader
🧑🧑🧒 Family-Centered
☕️ Coffee Connoisseur
Jenn and her husband, Thomas, had a decision to make. While Nashville had its perks for their non-traditional family of nine, the cost of living wasn’t cutting it. When Thomas’ company had an opening in KC, they jumped on it.
Fast forward four years, their family is settled in Lee’s Summit, and Jenn is a wellknown professional in the KC business community. She’s been named a Kansas City Business Journal “20 to Know” honoree, The Hope Center’s SHERO of the Year 2025 and is an alumna of the prestigious Centurions Leadership Program.
“I got in very rapidly to the business scene here because it was more accessible,” says Jenn. Comfortable living, whether it’s the lower costs or simply the ease of getting around, has granted Jenn a fulfilling work and home life.
“You can live in any suburb of Kansas City and still be 20 minutes away from the city,” says Jenn. “I’m in the city four or five times a week doing business, but it’s never laborious to get on the highway.”
She’s right — the average commute time in the KC metro is 23.3 minutes, compared to 27.9 in Nashville and the U.S. average of 26.6.
Everyday luxuries: As a former Starbucks operations manager, Jenn is a big coffee fanatic, and KC’s abundance of unique local coffee shops made an impression. She loves a good oatmilk mocha, and a few of her favorite spots include Made in KC Marketplace, The Roasterie and Post Coffee.
The big picture: “It was a huge gamechanger to be able to own property and have a spacious backyard. Cost of living, accessibility — those are the things that brought me here. What keeps me here is the excitement and the people.”