Laura Beach // Shutterstock

- Population: 1,263
- Median home value: $599,300
- Median rental price: $1,667

- Top schools nearby: Trailridge Elementary School (grade A), Summit Lakes Middle School (grade A), Lee's Summit West High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Summit Christian Academy (grade A−), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School (grade B+), Heartland High School & Academy (grade B+)

- Overall Niche grade: A−
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−

#9. Lake Winnebago, Missouri

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

- Population: 26,964
- Median home value: $194,900
- Median rental price: $1,048

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Chapel Hill Elementary School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Pembroke Hill School (grade A+), Bishop Miege High School (grade A), Overland Christian Schools (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

#8. Gladstone, Missouri

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Population: 58,720
- Median home value: $224,600
- Median rental price: $1,159

- Top schools nearby: James Walker Elementary School (grade A), Lucy Franklin Elementary School (grade A), Sunny Pointe Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Summit Christian Academy (grade A−), St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School (grade B+), Islamic School of Greater Kansas City (grade B)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

#7. Blue Springs, Missouri

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

- Population: 30,299
- Median home value: $250,200
- Median rental price: $1,004

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Franklin Elementary School (grade A), Epic Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Pius X High School (grade A−), Faith Christian Academy (grade A−), The Plaza Academy (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

#6. Liberty, Missouri

Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

- Population: 3,017
- Median home value: $538,700
- Median rental price: $1,772

- Top schools nearby: Woodland Elementary School (grade A), Highland Park Elementary School (grade A), Lee's Summit North High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Whitefield Academy (grade A), Summit Christian Academy (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−

#5. Lake Lotawana, Missouri

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

- Population: 1,021
- Median home value: $344,300
- Median rental price: $1,388

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A), Park Hill High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Pius X High School (grade A−), Faith Christian Academy (grade A−), Northland Christian Schools (grade B−)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

#4. Lake Waukomis, Missouri

F8 studio // Shutterstock

- Population: 101,728
- Median home value: $291,400
- Median rental price: $1,295

- Top schools nearby: Delta Woods Middle School (grade A), Voy Spears Jr. Elementary School (grade A), Chapel Lakes Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Barstow School (grade A+), Notre Dame de Sion High School (grade A+), Rockhurst High School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

#3. Lee's Summit, Missouri

FamVeld // Shutterstock

- Population: 2,422
- Median home value: $462,800
- Median rental price: $2,036

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Park Hill South High School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: St. Pius X High School (grade A−), Faith Christian Academy (grade A−), Northland Christian Schools (grade B−)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B+
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

#2. Weatherby Lake, Missouri

PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

- Population: 7,669
- Median home value: $556,500
- Median rental price: $891

- Top schools nearby: Rising Hill Elementary School (grade A), Park Hill South High School (grade A), Gateway 6th Grade Center (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Maranatha Academy (grade A), Overland Christian Schools (grade A−), St. Pius X High School (grade A−)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B+

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

#1. Parkville, Missouri