I’ve been digging deep into the Zillow Home Value Index data, and Kansas has proven to be one of the most fascinating real estate investment landscapes in the Midwest. The numbers reveal dramatic appreciation patterns that significantly outpace national averages, particularly in the suburbs surrounding Kansas City.
What’s caught my attention is how dramatically the wealth gap appears in real estate values across different Kansas communities. The most expensive town has home values nearly 32 times higher than the least expensive Kansas towns, showing a startling economic stratification within a single state.
The investment returns tell an impressive story too. When you look at the decade-long appreciation from 2010 to 2025, some towns like Easton have seen property values nearly triple (183%), representing extraordinary investment opportunities for those who got in early.
21. Viola
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $384,030
- 2020 Home Value: $265,533
- 2015 Home Value: $204,755
- 2010 Home Value: $169,843
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 44.63%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 87.56%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 126.11%
About Viola
The financial appeal of Viola is evident with median home prices reaching $384,030, representing a remarkable 15-year growth trajectory. Investors who purchased property here in 2010 have seen their assets more than double in value, with consistent growth patterns that outperform many regional investment alternatives. The town shows strong capital appreciation potential with its 44.63% five-year growth rate.
20. Easton
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $387,545
- 2020 Home Value: $234,541
- 2015 Home Value: $173,590
- 2010 Home Value: $136,517
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 65.24%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 123.25%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 183.88%
About Easton
Easton’s real estate market showcases exceptional investment performance with a current median home value of $387,545. This represents the highest 15-year appreciation rate (183.88%) among comparable Kansas towns, indicating strong financial returns for early investors. The accelerating five-year growth rate of 65.24% suggests continued momentum in this market, making it a standout option for potential investment capital allocation.
19. Louisburg
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $395,359
- 2020 Home Value: $260,006
- 2015 Home Value: $190,368
- 2010 Home Value: $167,244
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 52.06%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 107.68%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 136.40%
About Louisburg
With median home values reaching $395,359, Louisburg presents a compelling financial case with its 136.40% appreciation over 15 years. The town’s value growth has accelerated in recent years, demonstrated by the 52.06% five-year appreciation rate, suggesting market momentum. Property investors benefit from both strong long-term capital gains and the town’s relatively accessible entry point compared to higher-priced Kansas City suburbs.
18. Shawnee
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $400,395
- 2020 Home Value: $283,721
- 2015 Home Value: $219,969
- 2010 Home Value: $201,223
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 41.12%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 82.02%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 98.98%
About Shawnee
Shawnee’s real estate market demonstrates solid financial performance with median home values at $400,395. While its 15-year appreciation of 98.98% is slightly below some comparable towns, its consistent growth pattern provides stability for investors. The town’s larger population base and developed infrastructure offer reduced investment risk alongside the 41.12% five-year growth rate, balancing yield potential with market security.
17. De Soto
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $405,580
- 2020 Home Value: $280,519
- 2015 Home Value: $211,445
- 2010 Home Value: $186,412
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 44.58%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 91.81%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 117.57%
About De Soto
De Soto’s median home price of $405,580 represents substantial financial growth and investment opportunity. The 117.57% appreciation over 15 years demonstrates strong long-term capital gains. Recent market performance shows a 44.58% five-year appreciation rate, indicating continued upward momentum for property values. This growth trajectory positions De Soto as an attractive option for value-focused real estate investors in the Kansas market.
16. Olathe
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $406,194
- 2020 Home Value: $284,965
- 2015 Home Value: $219,070
- 2010 Home Value: $200,186
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 42.54%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 85.42%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 102.91%
About Olathe
Olathe’s real estate investments have delivered excellent financial returns, with the median home price doubling to $406,194 over 15 years. With its 42.54% five-year appreciation rate, the market demonstrates consistent growth patterns rather than volatile spikes. The town’s larger economic base and diverse housing inventory provide risk-mitigation advantages for investors seeking both capital appreciation and stable property value growth.
15. Westwood
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $412,274
- 2020 Home Value: $293,537
- 2015 Home Value: $208,482
- 2010 Home Value: $186,629
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 40.45%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 97.75%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 120.91%
About Westwood
Westwood’s current median home value of $412,274 represents strong financial performance with 120.91% growth over 15 years. The investment proposition is strengthened by accelerated appreciation in the middle period, shown by the 97.75% ten-year growth rate. Recent moderation to 40.45% five-year growth suggests a maturing market that balances continued appreciation potential with relative stability compared to more volatile emerging markets.
14. Spring Hill
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $421,476
- 2020 Home Value: $285,803
- 2015 Home Value: $212,509
- 2010 Home Value: $188,247
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 47.47%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 98.33%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 123.89%
About Spring Hill
Spring Hill’s real estate market demonstrates exceptional financial performance with median home values reaching $421,476. The 123.89% appreciation over 15 years provides strong returns for long-term investors. Recent acceleration to a 47.47% five-year growth rate indicates increasing market momentum. This growth trajectory, combined with its strategic location, positions Spring Hill as a high-potential investment option in the Kansas real estate portfolio.
13. Basehor
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $422,248
- 2020 Home Value: $294,317
- 2015 Home Value: $221,337
- 2010 Home Value: $205,442
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 43.47%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 90.77%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 105.53%
About Basehor
Basehor presents a solid financial investment case with median home values of $422,248, doubling over the 15-year period. The town’s 43.47% five-year appreciation rate demonstrates consistent growth rather than speculative spikes. This stable appreciation pattern, combined with relatively strong starting values in 2010, indicates a mature market that offers balanced investment potential with lower volatility than some faster-growing counterparts.
12. Linwood
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $436,684
- 2020 Home Value: $269,655
- 2015 Home Value: $178,288
- 2010 Home Value: $165,715
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 61.94%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 144.93%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 163.51%
About Linwood
Linwood’s real estate market exhibits extraordinary financial performance with a 163.51% appreciation over 15 years to reach $436,684. The impressive 61.94% five-year growth rate is among the highest in the region, indicating accelerating market momentum. These exceptional returns position Linwood as one of Kansas’s top-performing investment markets, offering significant wealth-building potential despite starting from a relatively modest baseline value.
11. Overland Park
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $448,455
- 2020 Home Value: $315,906
- 2015 Home Value: $250,124
- 2010 Home Value: $219,624
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 41.96%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 79.29%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 104.19%
About Overland Park
Overland Park represents a premium financial investment with median home values reaching $448,455. The market has doubled in value over 15 years, delivering consistent rather than volatile returns. As one of Kansas’s largest suburban markets, its 41.96% five-year appreciation combines growth potential with the stability advantages of a diversified economic base, offering investors a balance between capital appreciation and relative market security.
10. Lenexa
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $449,578
- 2020 Home Value: $316,683
- 2015 Home Value: $249,898
- 2010 Home Value: $225,042
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 41.96%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 79.90%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 99.77%
About Lenexa
Lenexa’s real estate market demonstrates strong financial performance with median home values approaching $450,000, nearly doubling over 15 years. The 41.96% five-year appreciation rate indicates steady growth in a mature market. What distinguishes Lenexa is its higher starting values in 2010 combined with consistent appreciation, suggesting lower investment risk profiles while still delivering substantial returns compared to alternative investment vehicles.
9. Prairie Village
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $459,124
- 2020 Home Value: $322,988
- 2015 Home Value: $235,980
- 2010 Home Value: $204,349
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 42.15%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 94.56%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 124.68%
About Prairie Village
Prairie Village’s median home value of $459,124 represents exceptional financial performance with 124.68% appreciation over 15 years. The market shows increasing momentum with particularly strong 10-year returns of 94.56%. This accelerated middle-period growth combined with consistent recent appreciation of 42.15% over five years positions Prairie Village as a premium investment location that combines strong returns with the stability of an established community.
8. Eastborough
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $496,242
- 2020 Home Value: $385,425
- 2015 Home Value: $299,545
- 2010 Home Value: $269,207
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 28.75%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 65.67%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 84.34%
About Eastborough
Eastborough presents a distinctive financial profile with median home values reaching $496,242. Its more modest 84.34% fifteen-year appreciation reflects a market that started from a high baseline value. The 28.75% five-year growth rate, while lower than some neighboring communities, still significantly outpaces traditional investment vehicles. This market profile suggests a premium, established location where property values demonstrate resilience and stability.
7. Fairway
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $592,559
- 2020 Home Value: $427,268
- 2015 Home Value: $339,900
- 2010 Home Value: $292,035
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 38.69%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 74.33%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 102.91%
About Fairway
Fairway’s real estate market demonstrates premium financial performance with median values doubling to $592,559 over 15 years. The market’s 38.69% five-year appreciation rate represents significant growth in an already high-value area. What makes Fairway particularly notable is achieving this growth from an already substantial baseline, suggesting strong demand fundamentals and limited supply constraints that support continued value appreciation.
6. Westwood Hills
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $611,495
- 2020 Home Value: $443,364
- 2015 Home Value: $360,062
- 2010 Home Value: $314,157
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 37.92%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 69.83%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 94.65%
About Westwood Hills
Westwood Hills represents a premium real estate investment with median home values exceeding $611,000. The 94.65% appreciation over 15 years, while slightly below some markets percentage-wise, represents substantial absolute dollar gains given the high starting values. The market’s 37.92% five-year growth rate demonstrates continued strong performance even at this elevated price point, indicating sustained demand for luxury properties in this exclusive enclave.
5. Bucyrus
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $632,038
- 2020 Home Value: $426,089
- 2015 Home Value: $313,259
- 2010 Home Value: $262,472
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 48.33%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 101.76%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 140.80%
About Bucyrus
Bucyrus’s real estate market showcases exceptional financial performance with median home values reaching $632,038. The impressive 140.80% appreciation over 15 years has delivered superior returns compared to most investment alternatives. The market maintains strong growth momentum with a 48.33% five-year appreciation rate, indicating continued robust demand. These metrics position Bucyrus among the most financially rewarding real estate markets in the Kansas City region.
4. Leawood
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $735,980
- 2020 Home Value: $513,654
- 2015 Home Value: $449,755
- 2010 Home Value: $385,181
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 43.28%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 63.64%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 91.07%
About Leawood
Leawood represents a premium luxury market with median home values of $735,980, demonstrating powerful financial performance. Despite starting from already high base values, the market has nearly doubled over 15 years. The 43.28% five-year appreciation rate shows accelerating growth in recent years. This combination of consistent long-term performance and recent growth momentum positions Leawood as a standout investment opportunity in the high-end Kansas real estate sector.
3. Mission Woods
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $857,293
- 2020 Home Value: $638,091
- 2015 Home Value: $550,755
- 2010 Home Value: $nan
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 34.35%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 55.66%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: nan%
About Mission Woods
Mission Woods represents an ultra-premium financial investment with median home values exceeding $857,000. Even with this high valuation, the market has delivered a 55.66% appreciation over ten years. The most recent five-year period shows a 34.35% growth rate, impressive for properties at this price point. These metrics illustrate the exceptional wealth preservation and growth characteristics of this exclusive enclave within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
2. Lake Quivira
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $901,501
- 2020 Home Value: $601,780
- 2015 Home Value: $538,902
- 2010 Home Value: $524,433
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 49.81%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 67.28%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 71.90%
About Lake Quivira
Lake Quivira’s real estate market demonstrates extraordinary financial performance with median values exceeding $900,000. What’s remarkable is the market’s recent acceleration—a nearly 50% five-year appreciation rate after relatively modest growth in the preceding decade. This dramatic shift in market momentum suggests structural changes in demand fundamentals, potentially creating significant wealth-building opportunities despite the high entry price for this exclusive lakeside community.
1. Mission Hills
Historic prices and percent change over time:
- 2025 Home Value: $1,462,897
- 2020 Home Value: $996,330
- 2015 Home Value: $919,766
- 2010 Home Value: $791,693
- % Change 2020 to 2025: 46.83%
- % Change 2015 to 2025: 59.05%
- % Change 2010 to 2025: 84.78%
About Mission Hills
Mission Hills stands as Kansas’s premier luxury real estate market with median home values exceeding $1.46 million. The market’s financial performance is exceptional given its ultra-premium positioning, delivering 84.78% appreciation over 15 years. Even more striking is the accelerated 46.83% five-year growth rate, demonstrating robust demand at the highest end of the market. This growth trajectory confirms Mission Hills’ status as both a wealth preservation vehicle and capital appreciation opportunity.
