The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Kansas City For 2022


We used data and science to identify the neighborhoods in Kansas City that are the real pits.

Nick Johnson, RoadSnacks
April 6, 2022 - 106,128 views
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Kansas City's neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You've got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.

It seems as if there's a neighborhood for everyone in Kansas City.

And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the country thanks in part to a strong economy and tons of entertainment, it's not all rainbows and sunshine in Kansas City. Some neighborhoods aren't as great as others.

So the question arises, which Kansas City neighborhoods are the worst, and which are the best?

Today, we'll use science and data to determine which Kansas City hoods need a little tender loving care - the sore thumbs of the Kansas City area if you will. Realistically, you can't expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Armour Hills ranks way above the rest.

We examined 139 of Kansas City's neighborhoods to find out the worst places to live. These places don't quite measure up to Kansas City's reputation.

So what's the worst neighborhood to live in Kansas City for 2022? According to the most recent census data, South Blue Valley looks to be the worst neighborhood in Kansas City.

Read on to see how we determined the places around Kansas City that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don't blame the messenger.

Once you're done, you can look at the bottom of the story for a complete chart of every neighborhood we looked at from worst to best. Looking for places to avoid outside of the city? You can also check out the worst suburbs of Kansas City.

For more Missouri reading, check out:

Worst Neighborhoods In Kansas City
Source: Wikipedia User | CC-BY-SA-3.0

The 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Kansas City For 2022

1. South Blue Valley

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 1,992
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $25,500 (4th worst)
Median Income: $22,281 (16th worst)
More on South Blue Valley:  Data

2. North Blue Ridge

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 71
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $45,400 (16th worst)
Median Income: $21,078 (10th worst)
More on North Blue Ridge:  Data

3. Northest Industrial District

Overall SnackAbility

1
/10

Population: 157
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $18,000 (worst)
Median Income: $26,500 (32nd worst)
More on Northest Industrial District:  Data

4. Marlborough East

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,265
Rank Last Year: 4 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $46,600 (19th worst)
Median Income: $21,160 (11th worst)
More on Marlborough East:  Data

5. Blue Valley Industrial

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 964
Rank Last Year: 6 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $36,500 (8th worst)
Median Income: $24,398 (24th worst)
More on Blue Valley Industrial:  Data

6. East Blue Valley

Overall SnackAbility

2
/10

Population: 1,595
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $47,650 (20th worst)
Median Income: $24,536 (25th worst)
More on East Blue Valley:  Data

7. East Community Team North

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,816
Rank Last Year: 8 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $49,200 (24th worst)
Median Income: $23,342 (2worst)
More on East Community Team North:  Data

8. Norble And Gregory Ridge

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,704
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $37,400 (9th worst)
Median Income: $35,777 (6worst)
More on Norble And Gregory Ridge:  Data

9. Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,419
Rank Last Year: 10 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $51,750 (29th worst)
Median Income: $14,866 (2nd worst)
More on Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade:  Data

10. Ivanhoe Southeast

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,528
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $42,750 (13th worst)
Median Income: $21,210 (12th worst)
More on Ivanhoe Southeast:  Data

Methodology: How we determined the worst Kansas City neighborhoods in 2022

To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We threw the following criteria into this analysis in order to get the best, most complete results possible. We used this set of criteria for each neighborhood in Kansas City:

  • High unemployment (Less jobs)
  • Low median income (Less pay)
  • Low population density (No things to do)
  • Low home values (No one's willing to pay to live here)
  • High crime (Estimated)

Then, we ranked each neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri for each of these criteria from worst to best.

Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criteria into a "Worst Score".

The neighborhood with the lowest "Worst Score" ranks as the worst neighborhood of Kansas City.

Read on below to learn more about these terrible places around Kansas City to live. Or skip to the end to see the list of all 139 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.

This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. Hold on to your pants.

Summary: The Worst Neighborhoods Around Kansas City

Well there you have it -- the worst of the neighborhoods in Kansas City with South Blue Valley landing at the bottom of the pack.

As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Kansas City aren't all bad. Armour Hills takes the cake as the best place to live in Kansas City.

We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.

For more Missouri reading, check out:

Where Are The Worst Neighborhoods To Live In Kansas City For 2022?

Rank Neighborhood Population Home Value Median Income
1 South Blue Valley 1,992 $25,500 $22,281
2 North Blue Ridge 71 $45,400 $21,078
3 Northest Industrial District 157 $18,000 $26,500
4 Marlborough East 1,265 $46,600 $21,160
5 Blue Valley Industrial 964 $36,500 $24,398
6 East Blue Valley 1,595 $47,650 $24,536
7 East Community Team North 2,816 $49,200 $23,342
8 Norble And Gregory Ridge 1,704 $37,400 $35,777
9 Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade 1,419 $51,750 $14,866
10 Ivanhoe Southeast 1,528 $42,750 $21,210
11 Knoches Park 1,499 $33,833 $22,604
12 Hidden Valley 933 $86,300 $24,615
13 Eastwood Hills West 1,396 $66,950 $33,166
14 Key Coalition 1,208 $71,500 $14,444
15 Ivanhoe Northeast 761 $50,300 $25,588
16 Santa Fe 2,168 $43,525 $23,036
17 Legacy East 2,010 $46,500 $29,784
18 Sheffield 2,161 $48,050 $17,559
19 East Community Team South 2,736 $24,860 $20,194
20 East Sqope Highlands 833 $86,500 $29,668
21 Ingleside 948 $52,525 $30,750
22 Manheim Park 1,508 $52,650 $25,860
23 Lewis Heights 712 $93,900 $37,159
24 Washington Weatley 1,837 $59,333 $27,573
25 Riss Lake 2,524 $93,600 $27,335
26 Self Help Neighborhood Council 1,805 $49,800 $20,620
27 Blue Hills 5,148 $59,229 $31,826
28 Linwood Homeowner-Ivanhoe 1,346 $56,500 $21,750
29 North Town Fork Creek 2,904 $61,040 $27,828
30 Vineyard 2,003 $59,000 $27,635
31 Swope Parkway-Elmwood 2,541 $67,933 $31,053
32 Indipendence Plaza 2,338 $68,020 $24,060
33 Mount Hope 326 $38,000 $16,500
34 Brown Estates 890 $84,700 $41,351
35 Oakwood 1,634 $85,500 $26,012
36 Westside South 1,302 $106,033 $40,769
37 Lykins 3,734 $40,412 $21,625
38 Hickman Mills 3,570 $88,900 $37,115
39 Vineyard Northwest 797 $42,700 $19,862
40 Oldham Farms 1,012 $66,700 $39,920
41 Stanford Estates 1,954 $82,350 $43,164
42 Marlborough Heights-Marlborough Pride 2,591 $33,080 $26,330
43 Palestine West And Oak Park Northeast 563 $45,200 $41,050
44 Oak Park Northwest 2,913 $48,300 $24,219
45 Beacon Hills 675 $111,850 $32,104
46 Oak Park Southwest 2,096 $19,150 $33,735
47 Loma Vista 1,897 $78,650 $31,312
48 Pendleton Heights 2,880 $95,775 $18,347
49 Richards Gebaur 1,338 $97,833 $32,605
50 Ruskin Hills 2,775 $66,650 $37,740
51 Palestine East 1,304 $34,100 $24,810
52 West Blue Valley 2,281 $46,100 $22,986
53 Ashland Ridge 1,348 $74,900 $30,375
54 Hillcrest 1,193 $83,800 $32,350
55 Ruskin Heights 4,718 $52,775 $35,841
56 Westside North 1,466 $154,950 $31,394
57 West Blue Township 713 $76,400 $41,159
58 Cunningham Ridge 280 $76,400 $41,159
59 Wendell Phillips 1,485 $90,167 $20,620
60 Sterling Acres 912 $105,800 $46,125
61 South Town Fork Creek 1,262 $55,200 $32,522
62 East Meyer 4,625 $76,560 $35,925
63 Foxtown East 901 $48,400 $42,372
64 Broadway Gillham 898 $103,850 $29,974
65 Country Valley-Hawthorn Square 340 $158,500 $45,549
66 Eastwood Hill East 3,732 $73,975 $35,776
67 Citadel 1,514 $90,350 $41,866
68 Bleheim Square-Research Hospital 1,652 $66,000 $23,264
69 Hickman Mills South 1,596 $74,100 $42,446
70 Linden Hills And Indian Heights 2,305 $124,967 $48,461
71 Swope Park Campus 1,527 $58,650 $29,629
72 Fairlane 5,116 $85,875 $46,617
73 Hanover Place 2,914 $88,133 $30,502
74 Oak Park Southeast 1,754 $49,800 $34,078
75 Bonne Hills 1,863 $104,833 $49,970
76 North India Mound 4,849 $50,683 $35,163
77 Santa Fe Hills 2,175 $72,133 $43,164
78 Park Farms 3,487 $98,850 $43,396
79 South India Mound 4,007 $55,220 $30,911
80 Sarritt Point 3,592 $66,083 $29,106
81 Martin City 1,046 $188,200 $48,989
82 Squier Park 897 $143,200 $44,792
83 North Hyde Park 1,649 $164,900 $21,453
84 Eastern 49-63 3,124 $106,033 $39,164
85 Little Blue Valley 4,414 $181,600 $71,172
86 South Hyde Park 1,981 $139,000 $40,098
87 Western Hills 1,837 $133,550 $52,030
88 Plaza Westport 1,071 $182,150 $48,530
89 Willow Creek 3,235 $75,567 $37,555
90 Bannister Ares 1,437 $112,200 $50,651
91 Robandee South 1,846 $83,800 $43,036
92 Old Westport 964 $181,500 $42,910
93 Stayton Meadows 2,471 $87,533 $50,858
94 Royal Oaks 1,691 $147,200 $44,514
95 Fairwood And Robandee 4,215 $71,000 $41,973
96 Kirkside 1,722 $85,700 $35,417
97 Central Hyde Park 1,317 $286,650 $72,761
98 Blue Vue Hills 1,722 $146,300 $66,875
99 River Market 523 $228,900 $51,654
100 Longfellow 2,007 $172,850 $29,178
101 Waldo Homes 1,554 $116,950 $49,802
102 Lea Manor 2,044 $150,100 $68,181
103 Red Bridge North 926 $168,150 $83,325
104 Red Ridge South 2,757 $171,350 $43,766
105 West Waldo 1,321 $138,900 $63,846
106 Southmoreland 3,638 $168,080 $42,346
107 Birdlespur 1,364 $168,650 $89,478
108 Mission Lake 3,622 $195,400 $86,398
109 Unity Ridge 513 $315,700 $101,023
110 Saint Catherine's Gardens 2,573 $119,000 $62,102
111 Ward Parkway Plaza 471 $148,100 $71,635
112 Valentine 1,163 $155,950 $40,567
113 Blue Hills Estates 1,520 $224,800 $53,319
114 Highview Estates 2,603 $203,567 $73,725
115 Holmes Park 1,247 $179,500 $60,385
116 Crown Center 759 $200,033 $55,006
117 Timber Valley 371 $174,000 $88,198
118 Oak Meyer Gardens 856 $232,500 $73,942
119 Union Hill 865 $230,750 $58,514
120 Roanoke 484 $356,000 $51,179
121 White Oak 2,673 $111,000 $60,611
122 Western 49-63 4,533 $225,120 $82,382
123 Greenway Fields 633 $484,300 $200,973
124 Faireway Hills 2,302 $112,800 $64,853
125 Verona Hills 2,013 $253,250 $90,614
126 South Plaza 2,537 $343,967 $56,995
127 Country Lane Estates 1,971 $155,100 $53,150
128 Stanford Gardens 930 $484,300 $200,973
129 West Plaza 3,939 $196,200 $60,529
130 Central Business District-Downtown 4,364 $191,233 $52,423
131 Volker 4,523 $187,420 $50,188
132 Westwood 907 $248,700 $91,319
133 Tower Homes 5,882 $167,440 $69,114
134 Morningside 1,618 $255,250 $103,750
135 Romanelli West 706 $329,900 $102,917
136 Ward Parkway 3,722 $189,450 $81,157
137 Wornall Homestead 750 $306,900 $129,773
138 Arnour Fields 2,107 $424,200 $138,553
139 Armour Hills 2,422 $240,700 $103,120

Editor's Note: This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. Don't freak out we updated this article for 2022. This is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in Kansas City.

About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

 Rankings, Worst