Kansas City, MO vs Indianapolis, IN (living, best, cost, better)

[Kluch]

For a young family with kids what's the "better" city when comparing...

Jobs and economic growth

Cost of Living

Downtown/city area (includes attractions, events, etc.)

Surrounding suburbs (includes schools, amenities available in the burbs)

Traffic (rush hour, etc.)

Weather

Uniqueness (something specific to that city)

[sub]

I vote Kansas City.
Tons of family-oriented things to do, though no doubt a place as big as Indy can keep people entertained as well. Kansas City is sort of isolated so it tends to be the go-to place for a larger region.
Jobs/economy/COL aren't going to be drastically different.
KC's city core from the City Market down to Brookside/Waldo is top notch. Union Station and Crown Center are particularly good for families.
The suburbs probably aren't hugely different.
KC simply doesn't have much big city traffic. It's relative isolation compared to Indy's crossroads location makes it the clear winner here.
Kansas City's weather is going to be a little more extreme, but probably sunnier on average.
Indianapolis doesn't as have much to make it stand out. No offense to Indianapolis, I'd pick it over a lot of other places out there, just not KC.

[jjbradleynyc]

I really like Kansas City for quality of life. It has better museums and parks than Indianapolis.

But I think KC is a bit higher crime overall than Indy, so I voted Indianapolis for a family with young kids.

[Shakeesha]

Kansas City is the best. The city is nicer and there are more things to do. The museums and cultural enrichment activities are stronger imo. I would choose Kansas City.

[ccm123]

Tough call. Both are nice, but I picked KC.