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The 10 Most Successful Cities in Kansas (2026 Update)
Defining success can vary widely from person to person. Is it reflected in the balance of your bank account? Perhaps it’s the satisfaction of a well-executed presentation or even a clever joke that resonates with friends and colleagues. Or maybe it’s something more complex—an amalgamation of experiences, achievements, and personal aspirations.
At Zippia, we prefer to quantify success through measurable metrics. By employing analytical methods, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the top 10 most successful cities in Kansas for 2026. Here are the results:
If you find yourself questioning our list, stay tuned—there’s a solid rationale behind it.
For more Kansas insights, explore:
How We Determined the Most Successful Cities in Kansas
Success is often equated with financial prosperity. While it’s true that higher income can indicate success, we believe that true success encompasses a broader range of factors. Our analysis considered a variety of metrics from the most recent American Community Survey data, focusing on income levels, poverty rates, and unemployment rates.
1. Leawood
Population 2024: 34,000 Median Income: $143,500
Poverty Level: 2.8%
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
2. Andover
Population 2024: 13,200 Median Income: $87,500
Poverty Level: 2.5%
Unemployment Rate: 3.8%
3. Prairie Village
Population: 22,000 Median Income: $85,000
Poverty Level: 3.9%
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
4. Mulvane
Population: 6,200 Median Income: $75,000
Poverty Level: 3.5%
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
5. Roeland Park
Population: 7,000 Median Income: $67,300
Poverty Level: 5.5%
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
6. Derby
Population: 24,000 Median Income: $70,000
Poverty Level: 4.2%
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
7. Overland Park
Population: 189,000 Median Income: $76,000
Poverty Level: 5.5%
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
8. Shawnee
Population: 66,000 Median Income: $78,000
Poverty Level: 6.2%
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
9. Bel Aire
Population: 7,300 Median Income: $72,000
Poverty Level: 4.0%
Unemployment Rate: 5.1%
10. Olathe
Population: 135,000 Median Income: $80,000
Poverty Level: 6.5%
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
Measuring Success
If you’re pondering whether such metrics can truly encapsulate the essence of success for a city and its residents, you might have a point. However, we find comfort in our quantitative approach to defining success. Congratulations to Leawood and all our top cities. For those not on the list, there’s always next year—keep striving!
Detailed List of the Most Successful Cities in Kansas
| Rank | City | Median Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leawood | $143,500 |
| 2 | Andover | $87,500 |
| 3 | Prairie Village | $85,000 |
| 4 | Mulvane | $75,000 |
| 5 | Roeland Park | $67,300 |
| 6 | Derby | $70,000 |
| 7 | Overland Park | $76,000 |
| 8 | Shawnee | $78,000 |
| 9 | Bel Aire | $72,000 |
| 10 | Olathe | $80,000 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
