City Comparison
Junction City vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Junction City
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Junction City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Salina.
| Metric | Junction City | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $920 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $1,870 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 18% 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 Junction City is estimated at
$45,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Junction City | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 1.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Junction City | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.00°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 27.90 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 14.30 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | 280 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
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 | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x 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, Salina has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Junction City | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 3.90% |
| 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.
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.
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
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
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