2026 Scientific Ranking: Best Places to Live in Kansas

By the Ocity.org Data Science Editorial Board

Methodology Brief

To determine the definitive ranking of the best places to live in Kansas for 2026, our team employed a transparent, weighted algorithm analyzing 10 major population centers. The model prioritizes three core metrics to quantify livability: Safety (40% weight), calculated by the inverse of the violent crime rate per 100,000 residents; Affordability (30% weight), measured by the inverse of the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment; and Economic Output (30% weight), derived from median household income. This approach eliminates subjective bias, producing a statistically robust, data-driven outcome. The final Ocity Score is a normalized composite of these weighted factors, with higher scores indicating superior statistical alignment with the defined criteria.

Top 3 Winners Deep Dive

Rank #1: Olathe emerges as the statistically optimal choice for 2026, achieving a top-tier synthesis of economic power and public safety. Olathe secures the highest median income in the dataset at $105,915, providing a 11.4% financial advantage over the runner-up. Crucially, this economic strength is coupled with a highly favorable safety profile; its violent crime rate of 189 incidents per 100k is the second-lowest recorded and represents a 72% reduction compared to rates in lower-ranked cities. This combination of high-yield income and a safety-optimized environment yielded the highest composite score in our algorithm.

Rank #2: Overland Park demonstrates the value of scale and stability, securing the second position through consistent performance across all metrics. It holds the second-highest median income at $97,176 and, most importantly, the lowest violent crime rate of any city in the ranking at 178/100k. This establishes Overland Park as the definitive safety-optimized hub. While its rent cost is equivalent to Olathe, its slightly lower income ceiling resulted in a marginal score differential. Its large population base of 197,062 underscores its capacity to deliver safety and economic opportunity at scale.

Rank #3: Lenexa presents a compelling case for high-income living, though it is tempered by a statistically significant safety concern. It holds the third-highest median income at $102,344, a figure that remains 64% higher than the income of cities in the bottom half of the ranking. However, its violent crime rate of 425/100k is over two times higher than that of Olathe and Overland Park. This safety penalty is the primary factor preventing a higher rank, despite its strong economic metrics and identical rent to the top two cities. It exemplifies the trade-off between income and safety in our model.

The 'Hidden Gem'

The city that delivers the optimal value proposition—balancing high income with low cost—is Shawnee. Ranking fourth overall, Shawnee achieves a median income of $100,016, placing it firmly in the top tier for economic output. Its true advantage, however, is revealed in affordability: with a median rent of $731, it offers a 12.9% cost advantage compared to the top three cities. This creates a superior disposable income ratio, making it the highest-yield option for residents prioritizing economic efficiency. While it shares the safety profile of many mid-tier cities, its economic-to-cost efficiency is unmatched in the dataset.

Full Rankings Table: Kansas Cities by Ocity Score (2026)

Note: Ocity Score is a normalized, weighted composite (Safety 40%, Affordability 30%, Economic Output 30%). Higher scores indicate superior statistical alignment with the defined criteria.