The Kansas City metropolitan area straddles the border between Kansas and Missouri. Near its southern end on the Kansas side is the city of Leawood. With a median home listing price of $1.8 million in July 2024, Leawood’s 66211 ZIP Code is home to Kansas’ priciest residential real estate as ranked by median listing price, according to Realtor.com. (News Corp, owner of The Wall Street Journal, also operates Realtor.com.) One of Kansas City’s first-ring suburbs, Leawood has a population of approximately 34,000, according to census data. It has two main shopping and dining complexes: Town Center, which has bigger brand names, and Park Place, which has a Main Street feel with smaller, independently owned venues. The city is also very green and walkable, with trails and parks.

Membership to have

Hallbrook Country Club has a Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole golf course, seven tennis courts, four pickleball courts, pool facilities and a fitness center. The club just completed a $22 million renovation and expansion that spanned much of the property.

Event of the year

Park Place’s central park, Barkley Square, hosts seasonal events and concerts. Residents look forward to when it turns into an ice-skating rink in the winter. Town Center also has a summer concert series.

Advice for the buyer

In Leawood—which has multiple ZIP Codes — buyers should understand the nuances of living in proximity to Interstate 435, says Compass real-estate agent Sara Bash Reda. “North of 435, the lots are typically larger, therefore the dirt has more value and is more expensive,” she says, noting the area, which is closer to downtown, is seeing large home renovations and build outs of custom and spec houses. South of 435, there are newer homes with more square footage but smaller lots. “We are seeing big remodels but not complete tear downs like north of 435,” she says. Leawood’s 66211 ZIP Code, which is also partially in neighboring city Overland Park, is south of Interstate 435.

Story first published in The Wall Street Journal