City Comparison
Hutchinson vs Leawood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leawood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hutchinson
Leawood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hutchinson is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hutchinson's average rent is
51% lower than Leawood's.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Leawood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,750 | -51% |
| Groceries | $380 | $480 | -21% |
| Utilities | $175 | $190 | -8% |
| Transport | $310 | $140 | +121% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $230 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,945 | $2,790 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 46% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leawood delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hutchinson is estimated at
$42,000 vs $75,000 in Leawood.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $95,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,195 idx | 76,000 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $165,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Leawood sees 4.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.50°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 39.80 in |
| Snowfall | 13.30 in | 17.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | 270 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hutchinson has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Leawood.
Hutchinson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Hutchinson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Hutchinson is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Leawood.
From a growth perspective, Leawood is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leawood has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,000 | 34,650 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 45.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hutchinson
Advantages
Median home prices in Hutchinson are significantly lower than the national average per U.S. Census data.
Average commute times under 17 minutes provide superior daily quality of life.
Home to world-class educational and cultural assets including the Cosmosphere and Strataca.
Abundant outdoor recreational spaces, including the expansive Carey Park and local trail systems.
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily errands.
Hot summer temperatures and cold winter winds require higher seasonal utility management.
Slower job growth rates in certain traditional sectors compared to major Kansas metropolitan hubs.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for young adults seeking a fast-paced urban scene.
Vulnerability to severe weather typical of central Kansas, including occasional high winds and storms.
Leawood
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Kansas with violent crime rates well below the national average.
Home to top-performing public schools within the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts.
Exceptional median household income exceeding $160,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Abundant green spaces, including over a dozen public parks and extensive hike-and-bike trail networks.
Premier shopping and dining destinations like Town Center Plaza and Park Place.
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing prices compared to the national average and Kansas state norms.
High level of car dependency with limited public transportation infrastructure within residential zones.
High property tax burdens associated with high municipal real estate valuations.
Limited inventory of affordable starter homes for first-time buyers within city limits.
Competitive real estate market driven by high demand for top school districts.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hutchinson
#189Kansas, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
73
Business
65
Leawood
#171Kansas, USA
64.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$95,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
270/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
92
Business
78
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