Kansas City Kansas and Kansas City Missouri are in fact 2 distinct jusridictions, each contribute to the larger Kansas City Metro Area. While there are varying definitions of what jurisdictions comprise the "Metro" one could point to regional planning commision MARC as being the defining entity. Regardless, the KC Metro is geographically large in area as there is quite a bit of unbuildable floodplain land dissecting Kansas City Missouri leading to a fun bit of trivia; The KC Metro has more lane miles of roadway per capita than any other metro in the world. It's not even really close in comparison either.
It’s really part of Kansas City, MO, but there is a 4th called “Kansas City, North” which an extremely confusing concept but refers to the part of Kansas City, MO north of North Kansas City. Suburbs annexed by the bigger city while NKC was left independent.
You’re right about the draw though. The KC metro is growing — sort of feels like Denver felt about 15 years ago