text: No one will dispute that if the mid-west were a country that Chicago would be the Big Apple or the New York of the mid-west. Chicago would be the news and entertainment center of the mid-west. Kansas City Missouri would be considered a business and financial center, a much smaller version of Chicago. It is usually overshadowed by St. Louis. Kansas City Kansas isn't mentioned very often because when you say Kansas City, most people think of Missouri. Even so, both of the Kansas Cities are the step-children of the mid-west. While it's true that both cities are known for having good medical hospitals and government agencies, Kansas City Missouri is more known as being a business and financial center than it's little brother across the river. Kansas City Kansas is a much smaller size about 153, 000 whereas Kansas City Missouri has 491, 000. Kansas City Missouri is more like the big brother to Kansas City, Kansas. . The big brother who gets really annoyed with his little brother from time to time. A rivalry but not one that is out of control. From time to time they get into disputes over things and one feels that the other has more of an advantage. They works things out usually. Depending on where you live, you will favor one or the other. I'm not going to do that but will admit that I've visited both cities which are very different (the Kansas side is growing up and is newer than the Missouri side). I know more about the Missouri side. The history and politics of both states are interesting but I will not get into this. You can read about it if you are interested. If you have a child in the Missouri side, they will learn about Missouri history in school. I assume the same is in Kansas. When talking about mid-western medium to large cities, Kansas City Missouri is like an after-thought. The Kansas side isn't really thought of at all. Some people think that Kansas City Missouri is a boring unexciting city which it isn't. Back during the time of Prohibition, people often put their money in the banks in Kansas City Missouri for safe keeping. Many people liked Kansas City because it was more peaceful than Chicago (like any city you had crime, but it was a lot lower than other cities during that time period). I have enjoyed on both sides going to various art and historical museums, performing arts theater, gardens and other activities. Of course it was on a much smaller scale than Chicago but I believe more people could enjoy these things and the cost of attending events were less than Chicago. The Kansas City Airport (on Missouri side of course) is north of the city. When it was built, it's very passenger friendly. They are remodeling the airport or starting to remodel the airport so that it conforms to other airports. It's smaller than others and easier to get around. I wish they would keep it the same and upgrade it. It's a nice airport. People in Kansas City on both sides are friendly (something you don't always see in a large city). If you like trains, there are a lot of them in Kansas City.