City Comparison
Junction City vs Leawood
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leawood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Junction City
Leawood
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Junction City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
34% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Junction City's average rent is
46% lower than Leawood's.
| Metric | Junction City | Leawood | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,750 | -46% |
| Groceries | $380 | $480 | -21% |
| Utilities | $170 | $190 | -11% |
| Transport | $110 | $140 | -21% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $230 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,790 | -34% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 43% 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 Junction City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $75,000 in Leawood.
| Metric | Junction City | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $95,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $75,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 76,000 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $165,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Junction City comes out ahead with 15 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leawood sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Junction City | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 27.90 in | 39.80 in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | 17.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 270 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Junction City has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Leawood.
Junction City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Junction City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Junction City | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Leawood is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Junction City.
From a growth perspective, Junction City 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 | Junction City | Leawood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 34,650 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 45.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Junction City
Advantages
Median home prices in Junction City are significantly below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Proximity to Milford Lake provides exceptional outdoor recreation, boating, and fishing opportunities.
Strong local economy supported by stable employment tied to nearby Fort Riley.
Short average commute times enhance daily convenience and work-life balance.
Low cost of living index compared to national benchmarks.
Drawbacks
High reliance on personal vehicles due to limited public transit infrastructure.
Property crime rates slightly exceed national median figures in certain areas per FBI crime data.
Limited high-end entertainment and nightlife options within city limits.
Weather extremes including cold winters and severe storm potential during spring.
Rental market fluctuations influenced by military deployment cycles at Fort Riley.
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.
Junction City
#409Kansas, USA
58.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
57.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
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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