Kansas City Metro (KS & MO) | City Guide for Travel Healthcare Pros

With roots on both sides of the state line, Kansas City is a unique blend of Midwestern ease, big‑city amenities, great medical systems, and unexpected affordability. Whether you land a contract on the Missouri side or in Kansas, you’ve got access to major hospitals, a lively culture, and a market that often stretches your travel nurse dollar further.

💰 Cost of Living

Here’s how both sides compare:

• On the Missouri side (Kansas City, MO): Housing costs are about 8% lower than the U.S. average; the overall cost of living score hovers around an index of ~88. BestPlaces+2Payscale+2

• On the Kansas side (Kansas City, KS): The cost of living index ~83.3 (about 16.7% lower than U.S. average); housing especially affordable. BestPlaces+2Apartments.com+2

• Example rents: On the Kansas side, furnished monthly rentals (1‑bed) can start under ~$1,000/month in certain neighborhoods. Apartments.com+1

• Summary: Good value for travel nurses compared to many large metros—especially if you target housing wisely.

🌤️ Weather by Month

Here’s a rough monthly snapshot (Midwest continental climate with mild summers, cold winters, and big swings).

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Description
January	~35°F	~20°F	❄ Cold, possible snow
February	~43°F	~25°F	🌬 Cold but fewer extreme days
March	~55°F	~35°F	🌱 Warming, spring signs
April	~67°F	~45°F	🌼 Pleasant, good outdoor days
May	~77°F	~55°F	☀ Warm, greenery
June	~86°F	~65°F	🌤 Hot, humid starts
July	~90°F	~70°F	🔥 Warmest month, humidity peaks
August	~89°F	~69°F	🌥 Still hot, some storm chance
September	~83°F	~62°F	🍂 Cooler nights, nice days
October	~72°F	~50°F	🍁 Crisp air, fall colors
November	~55°F	~38°F	🌬 Cooling down
December	~42°F	~25°F	❄ Winter returns, chillier

🛏️ Furnished Housing Options

Here are solid links for furnished, monthly short‑term rentals in the metro:

• Furnished Rentals – Kansas City, MO (TravelNurseHousing) (650+ listings in the Missouri side) Travel Nurse Housing

• Monthly Rentals – Kansas City, MO & KS (FurnishedFinder) (example listings: 1‑BR from ~$1,600+, 2‑BR ~$2,400+ etc) Furnished Finder

• Furnished Short‑Term Rentals – Kansas City, MO (CorporateHousingByOwner) — good for fully furnished homes/apartments geared toward professionals. corporatehousingbyowner.com

Tip: When choosing, consider proximity to your assignment hospital (MO vs KS side), commuting routes (I‑70, I‑35, I‑435), and whether you prefer Kansas (often a bit cheaper) or Missouri side amenities.

🏨 Extended Stay Hotels

Good long‑stay hotel options across the metro:

• Extended Stay America – Kansas City, MO — full kitchens, weekly/monthly rates. Extended Stay America+1

• WoodSpring Suites – Kansas City, MO — efficient extended‑stay chain with monthly rates. WoodSpring Suites

• Choice Hotels – Extended Stay Listings Kansas City, MO — good filter for kitchens, laundry, monthly stays. Choice Hotels

🚐 RV Parks & Campgrounds

For RV‑life or long‑term vehicle stays:

• Walnut Grove RV Park – Kansas City, KS side (full‑hookup, monthly stays) — excellent access for both sides. Walnut Grove RV Park

• KOA Oak Grove – Near KC, MO (monthly RV site rates ~ $1,000/month) — good long‑stay site with utilities included. KOA

• RV Parks Near Kansas City (GoodSam Directory) — 40+ FHU sites within ~50 mi. Good Sam

🎉 Things to Do in Kansas City

• Dive into the famous BBQ scene and craft breweries—KC is legendary for its food.

• Visit the Missouri side’s downtown: Country Club Plaza, Power & Light District, museums.

• Explore the Kansas side suburbs (Overland Park, Olathe, etc) for great housing, commute ease, and family‑friendly amenities.

• Medical/hospital communities: Both sides have major healthcare systems—choose based on where your assignment lands.

• Weekend catch: Lakes, nearby small towns, the scenic Midwest beyond the city.

🧳 Nearby Weekend Trips

• Lawrence/Topeka, KS area (~1‑1.5 hrs) – small‑town feel, affordable escapes.

• Lake of the Ozarks or Missouri countryside (~2‑3 hrs) – nature and relaxation.

• Kansas City suburbs – South/West suburbs offer new developments, shopping, and newer housing stock.

We leave from Hillsdale Lake in South KC area to Worlds of Fun RV Park before heading to Chicago

The Ozarks are just few hours away and are worth a side trip!

⏳ Summary

The Kansas City metro offers travel nurses a strong combination of value, lifestyle, and opportunity. With both the MO and KS sides available, you get housing flexibility and cost savings.

✅ Two‑state metro gives you housing/leasing choice

✅ Furnished housing, extended stay, and RV options available

✅ Lower cost of living than many large U.S. cities

🔍 Consider commute logistics, hospital side (MO vs KS), and housing timing as demand increases.

Disclosure: The information provided in this guide is what I use to send my travelers and is obtained through ChatGPT, utilizing prompts I frequently use as a travel nurse recruiter. The content is designed to help travelers make informed decisions about potential destinations.