Is Roeland Park Safe, Pros and cons of living in Roeland Park

Roeland Park, Kansas, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and urban accessibility, situated within the vibrant Kansas City metropolitan area. This charming community, home to just under 7,000 residents, is known for its friendly atmosphere and a strong sense of community, making it an attractive option for various lifestyles. The city provides a balanced living experience with a focus on affordability and quality of life.

With tree-lined streets, well-maintained parks, and a convenient location, Roeland Park presents a compelling case for both residents and investors. Its stable housing market and robust local economy contribute to its appeal, offering ample employment opportunities within the greater Kansas City region. The city’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and public safety further solidifies its desirability as a place to live and invest.

Is it Safe to Live in Roeland Park?

Roeland Park presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that are higher than the national average overall, yet significantly lower for violent crimes. The city’s overall crime rate is 16.2% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). However, violent crimes in Roeland Park are 49.8% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

Property crimes are a greater concern, with Roeland Park recording 152 property crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 29.7% higher than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). Despite these statistics, a survey of local residents indicates that 71% feel safe walking at night, though 29% expressed concerns about crime (as reported by AreaVibes).

It is important to note that Roeland Park has a crime rate that is 43.19 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by Safest/Most Dangerous Places). Your chance of being a victim of crime can vary by neighborhood, with some areas having a higher risk than others (as reported by Safest/Most Dangerous Places).

Cost of Living and Housing

Roeland Park offers a cost of living that is generally considered more affordable than the national average, particularly in its housing market. The median home value in Roeland Park is approximately $294,351 (as reported by Livability.com), which is notably lower than many other areas. This median home value is also reported as $372,000 with a 3.9% year-over-year growth as of December 2025 (as reported by realtor.com®). Another source indicates a median home value of $241,900 (as reported by Kurby AI).

Rental costs in Roeland Park are also competitive, with the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types being $1,250 as of April 2026 (as reported by Zumper). This is 36% lower than the national average (as reported by Zumper). However, houses for rent can be more expensive, averaging $2,500 per month (as reported by Zumper).

The median household income in Roeland Park was reported as $85,157 (as reported by Livability.com) and $84,848 (as reported by Kurby AI). Other data suggests a median individual income of $61,027 in 2024 (as reported by Data Commons) and a median household income of $109,469 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes).

Job Market and Economy

The economy of Roeland Park is supported by a diverse range of industries, with the most common sectors for residents including Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). The average annual salary for employees in Roeland Park is approximately $84,595 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

Employment in Roeland Park saw a slight decline of -1.53% from 2023 to 2024, with the number of employees decreasing from approximately 4.13k to 4.06k (as reported by Data USA). The most common job groups include Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations, Business & Financial Operations Occupations, and Management Occupations (as reported by Data USA).

Major employers in the broader Kansas City area, which Roeland Park is a part of, include entities within government, healthcare, and retail sectors. The Greater Kansas City area is noted for its strong job market, with low unemployment rates and a capacity to attract significant development (as reported by Roeland Park, KS Economic Development).

Climate and Weather

Roeland Park experiences a climate characterized by distinct seasons, with hot, muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 24°F to 90°F throughout the year, with rare extremes below 7°F or above 98°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The hot season lasts for about 3.6 months, from late May to mid-September, with average daily highs exceeding 80°F.

July is the hottest month, with average highs around 89°F and lows of 72°F. Conversely, the cold season spans approximately three months, from late November to late February, with average daily highs below 50°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 24°F and highs of 40°F (as reported by Weather Spark).

Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, with a wetter season from late March to late September. June typically sees the most rainfall, averaging 4.9 inches, while January is the driest month with about 0.5 inches of precipitation (as reported by Weather Spark). The average annual rainfall is around 40 inches, with an average annual snowfall of 16 inches (as reported by Livability.com).

Education and Schools

Roeland Park is served by the Shawnee Mission School District, which is highly regarded within Kansas. Roesland Elementary School, a public school in Roeland Park, has received an overall Niche grade of A- (as reported by Niche). It serves approximately 351 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as reported by Niche).

State test scores indicate that 59% of students at Roesland Elementary are proficient in math, and 59% are proficient in reading (as reported by Niche). The Shawnee Mission School District itself ranks as the #7 Best School District in Kansas (as reported by Niche).

Other educational institutions in or near Roeland Park include Highlands Elementary School, which has an A- rating, and Indian Hills Middle School, with a 4.5 out of 5 rating (as reported by Niche). The quality of local schools is a significant factor for families considering a move to the area.

Demographics and Community

Roeland Park has a population of approximately 6,760 residents (as reported by Data USA). The median age of residents is 36.7 years (as reported by Roeland Park, KS Demographics). The community is diverse, with White (Non-Hispanic) residents forming the largest ethnic group, making up about 5.14k people (as reported by Data USA).

Citizenship is high, with 95.9% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the adult population holds a college degree, with 52.3% of adults having completed higher education (as reported by Roeland Park, KS Demographics). The average household size is 2.08 persons (as reported by Roeland Park, KS Demographics).

The community is also characterized by a strong sense of local engagement, with various community events and initiatives throughout the year. This fosters a welcoming environment for both long-term residents and newcomers to the area.