Student Housing in Kansas City, MO
Student Housing in Kansas City, MO
$895/unit
Fees may applyAspen Village Apartments/EM2 Investments LLC
$750+/unit
Fees may applyThe Belleview - Student Friendly Housing
$850+/unit
Fees may applyPlaza Living - UMKC & Plaza Area Apartments
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About Student Housing in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri sits at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers on the state's western border, with a city population of roughly 510,000 and a metro area of approximately 2.2 million. The city is nationally recognized for its jazz heritage, world-class barbecue, and the Country Club Plaza, one of the oldest outdoor shopping centers in the United States. UMKC, the Kansas City Art Institute, and several other colleges anchor a substantial student population in the midtown and Westport corridors. The cost of living is well below the national average, making Kansas City an attractive city for students stretching their housing budgets.
Best Neighborhoods for Students in Kansas City
Volker
Immediately surrounding UMKC, the most convenient, with everything from historic brick walk-ups to newer complexes near the Country Club Plaza.
Westport
Just north, with a lively mix of bars, restaurants, and shops and a solid stock of rentals popular with upperclassmen and graduate students.
Midtown Kansas City
Smaller neighborhoods between downtown and the Plaza, with a range of price points and building types.
Brookside and Waldo
Residential neighborhoods farther south with quieter surroundings, house-style rentals, and neighborhood coffee shops and dining.
Getting Around Kansas City as a Student
Here's what you need to know about getting around Kansas City.
Public Transit
The KC Streetcar runs free of charge along a 3.5-mile Main Street corridor connecting the River Market district through downtown and midtown to the Crown Center and UMKC-adjacent areas, making it a practical option for students living along that spine. The RideKC bus network extends service across much of the metro, though frequency and coverage outside the urban core can be limited and transfers add significant travel time. Students relying solely on transit for all daily needs will find gaps, particularly for reaching suburban areas, grocery stores outside walkable zones, and the broader metro.
Walking and Biking
The neighborhoods immediately surrounding UMKC, including Volker, Westport, and the Country Club Plaza area, are among the most walkable parts of Kansas City with a dense mix of restaurants, shops, and services within comfortable walking distance. The city has expanded its protected bike lane network in midtown and near the Plaza, and the RideKC Bike bikeshare system provides dock-based rentals throughout the urban core. Students living in Midtown will find biking and walking genuinely viable for daily errands and campus commutes, especially in milder weather.
Parking
Kansas City is broadly car-friendly with ample surface parking and structured garages available throughout most neighborhoods at relatively low cost compared to coastal cities. UMKC maintains on-campus parking permits for students, though permit costs and availability vary by lot and demand is higher near central academic buildings. Street parking in Westport and near the Plaza can be competitive on evenings and weekends, but residential side streets in Volker and Midtown generally offer manageable daily parking.
Frequently Asked Questions: Student Housing in Kansas City
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, Kansas City has a cost of living well below the national average, and rents in the neighborhoods closest to UMKC are reasonable by major-city standards. Students can find one-bedroom apartments in Midtown for roughly $900 to $1,400 per month depending on the building and amenities.
A car is helpful for navigating the broader metro, though students living near the KC Streetcar corridor in Midtown can manage many daily needs without one. Biking and walking work well in Volker and the Plaza area during fair weather.
Volker, Westport, and Midtown are the most popular neighborhoods for UMKC students due to their proximity to campus and strong walkability. Brookside and Waldo are slightly further out but offer quieter residential settings at competitive rents.
Students should begin searching for fall housing in November or December for the best selection near UMKC. Peak leasing activity runs from January through March, when competition for well-priced Midtown units is highest.
Kansas City is nationally celebrated for its jazz history, distinctive BBQ style, and vibrant arts scene anchored by institutions like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the 18th and Vine Jazz District. The Country Club Plaza offers upscale shopping and dining within walking distance of UMKC, while Westport provides a more casual neighborhood bar and restaurant scene.
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