City Comparison
Hutchinson vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hutchinson
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
4% lower than in Hutchinson.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $920 | -8% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $310 | $120 | +158% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,945 | $1,870 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 22% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hutchinson is estimated at
$42,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,195 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 2.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.50°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 13.30 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | 280 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Hutchinson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Hutchinson.
From a growth perspective, Hutchinson is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Hutchinson has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,000 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.90% |
| 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.
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
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
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Hutchinson and Salina.
Open Cost Calculator