The market recorded 242,003 SF of net absorption in 2Q26, bringing the past four-quarter total to 3.1 MSF. While many markets experienced a tepid 2025, Kansas City posted positive absorption, demonstrating its importance as a centralized intermodal hub. Kansas City is benefiting from a broad base of industry types occupying space across the metro.
Of the 7.5 MSF construction pipeline, 4.28 MSF (57%) is currently allocated to BTS projects; however, this proportion has already declined significantly in 2Q26, as nine speculative projects are now under construction including: Scannell Properties’ 648,150-SF I-35 Logistics Park V, VanTrust’s 577,500-SF Building IV at Raymore Commerce Center and Hunt Midwest’s 505,440-SF HMBC Logistics VII. Asking rents increased 6.4% year over year and are expected to continue to increase 3.50% to 4.25% over the next four quarters.
Kansas City, the 31st-largest MSA by population, ranks 15th in industrial market size, fourth in lowest aggregate vacancy rate, ninth lowest in deliveries SF and 12th largest in under construction SF in 2Q26; and 12th in largest bps vacancy decrease year over year among the top 30 U.S. industrial markets.
The Kansas City region’s labor market remained flat with unemployment registering 3.8% in May 2026. The regional unemployment rate now stands 50 basis points below the national average, signaling comparative economic strength. Nonfarm payroll employment in the region climbed into positive territory at 0.2%. According to the Kansas City Fed Labor Market Conditions Indicators, activity in the quarter declined from 0.17 to 0.12, while momentum decreased from 0.02 to 0.01 in May 2026.
