KCMO Ranked Third In Midwest Gig Economy

Chart showing the top 10 metros in the Midwest region. Photo provided by CommercialSearch.

A recent study shows the Kansas City metro area ranked third among the best metro areas for the gig economy.

The study, Best US Metros to Be Your Own Boss, from CommercialSearch compared more than 70 metropolitan areas in the United States, scoring them across several indicators.

When looking at the Midwest region Kansas City ranked under both Indianapolis, IN and Columbus, OH which ranked first and second respectively.

Highlights from the CommercialSearch study specific to Kansas City MO-KS:

  • The annual median earnings of self-employed metro residents operating unincorporated businesses here increased by 21.4 percent in five years, placing Kansas City second in the region for earnings growth. KC data showed that the same demographic here saw median annual earnings of $29,600 — the sixth-highest in the region.
  • With an increase of 10.4 percent in five years, KC saw the third highest rate of growth for non-employer establishments in the Midwestern region. Non-employer businesses here reached a density of 7,223 establishments per 100,000 residents.
  • The density of coworking space in Kansas City stood at an estimated 1.7 spaces per 100,000 residents, with open coworking memberships here available at a median price of $105 per person per month.

Posted June 26, 2023.