These are the 5 best places to retire in Kansas, one ranking says. See how they rated
If you’re planning on retiring soon, where you want to be is a decision that may be at the top of your list.
While some people choose to retire wherever they work, others might decide to pick up everything and settle down in a place they haven’t lived in before for a quieter life, new things to do or a perfect retirement home.
If you’re wanting to move somewhere else when you choose to retire, but still want to stay somewhat close to home, you might want to think of another location in Kansas.
The website Niche, which is mainly known for its annual school rankings, released its best places to retire in 2024 ranking this spring. The company grades each location overall based on 12 factors: public schools, housing, family suitability, crime and safety, nightlife, diversity, jobs, weather, cost of living, outdoor activities, weather, health and fitness, and commute. Specifically for the retirement ranking, Niche also looked at factors like retiree newcomers, cost of living, residents over the age of 65, access to doctors, access to restaurants and retirees below poverty.
Here are the website’s top five choices for retirement in Kansas.
No. 1: Lake Quivira
Lake Quivira is a small suburb of Kansas City that is about three hours from Wichita. The population sits at about 1,000 as of 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Niche gave Lake Quivira an overall grade of A. Other relevant grades given were a B+ in housing, A+ in crime and safety, B in cost of living and A in health and fitness. The lowest grade Niche gave Lake Quivira was a C- in diversity.
No. 2: Leawood
Leawood is a suburb of Kansas City that is about three hours from Wichita. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the suburb has a population of about 34,000 as of 2020.
Leawood earned an overall grade of A+. It also got an A in housing, B- in cost of living, B in crime and safety, and A+ in health and fitness. Leawood’s lowest grade was a C+ in diversity. The town also ranked first in Niche’s ranking of best suburbs to live in in Kansas.
No. 3: North Newton
North Newton, a Wichita suburb, is about a half-hour drive from Wichita. The town had a population of about 1,800 as of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau reports.
Niche gave North Newton an overall grade of A. It also got an A- in housing, crime and safety and health and fitness. Newton’s lowest grade was a C+ for its public school system. The town also ranked first in best suburbs to live in in the Wichita area.
No. 4: Mission Hills
Mission Hills, a suburb of Kansas City, sits about three hours from Wichita. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a population of about 3,600 in 2020.
Niche gave Mission Hills an overall grade of A+. It earned a B+ for housing, B- for cost of living, B for crime and safety, and A+ for health and fitness. Its lowest grade was a C- for diversity.
No. 5: Hesston
Hesston is a half-hour drive from Wichita. Hesston had a reported population of 3,505 in 2020, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Hesston earned an overall grade of A+ from Niche. It earned an A for housing, A- for cost of living and crime and safety, and B for health and fitness. Its lowest grade was a C+ for diversity. Niche also named Hesston the best place to live in Harvey County.
