Is Kansas City safe for solo female travelers?

Solo travel

I rented a car from St. Louis and drove across the state to Kansas City, which was only a 3 hour drive (for those of you that want to do the opposite!) I felt very safe where I stayed, which was an Air BnB right outside of the Power and Light District. It was an easy walk or electric scooter ride into the P&LD. I highly recommend hopping on the train (I’m pretty sure it’s free?) that takes you from one end of the city to the other to explore more, getting off on all the stops. When I was there, the KC Live Block had a live 21+ country concert (Hot Country Nights - every Thursday during the summer) and it was amazing. The following night was a PBR event so I was able to watch a live rodeo. I went to a KC Royals game which was about a 20 minute commute outside of the city but a wonderful experience. Noteworthy food was Jack Stack and County Road Ice House for some quality BBQ, Cafe Corazon for latte flights.

Solo travel

I feel safe in most areas of Kansas City. I do not feel safe on the Plaza due to the protesting and thug behavior. Raytown, Independence, Troost Avenue, KCK, Argentine are areas I would feel unsafe. Overland Park, Olathe, Leawood, Mission, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Waldo and Brookside are safe

Solo travel

I spent a year abroad in Kansas City and stayed there for 5 months in 2021. In 2023, I went back for the summer and experienced even more things. Before that, I traveled with my family along the West Coast in a camper and saw everything I had always wanted to see in the western United States.

Downtown area can be dangerous at night, midtown/plaza area is fairly nice, but the drivers can be a little more aggressive, suburban areas are safe, especially further south in Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee mission, and Olathe.

Kansas City MO is typically safe. There are a few areas within the city that are a no go zone for anyone (especially women). Other than those small areas the city is safe. I would not recommend to take any city transport. Taking cabs or renting a car is the only way to truly see the city.

Kansas City itself feels like any other big city, but in the metro area there are many many suburbs and neighborhoods that feel much safer than downtown KC Kansas or Missouri. I personally have never had a negative experience downtown, but I also don’t spend a lot of time out and about alone or after dark.

I’ve lived and traveled all over and KC is one of the safest places I feel I’ve been in! Downtown is a little iffy sometimes with homeless like most cities though. However I’ve never felt any discomfort and have even had plenty of great conversations with homeless which I haven’t found in other cities! It’s a Midwest city so people are friendly and the it’s not over populated which I love! It’s not a crazy fun place like some of my other travels but I’ve found some great spots and adventures that have kept me living here and not wanting to move :)

Kansas City is safe but there are definitely places you should avoid going to. I typically feel comfortable going around the suburbs of Kansas City but the city itself can be different. I recommend getting to know the city and area more before completely traveling alone.