City Comparison
Prairie Village vs Leavenworth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Prairie Village scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Prairie Village
Leavenworth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Leavenworth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
27% lower than in Prairie Village.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prairie Village's average rent is
57% higher than Leavenworth's.
| Metric | Prairie Village | Leavenworth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,150 | +57% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,760 | $2,025 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Prairie Village offers 26% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leavenworth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Prairie Village is estimated at
$65,000 vs $50,000 in Leavenworth.
| Metric | Prairie Village | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,400 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $113,530 | $68,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Prairie Village sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Prairie Village | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | 21.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.60 in | 44.20 in |
| Snowfall | 18.00 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 267 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Prairie Village leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Prairie Village | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Leavenworth is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Prairie Village.
From a growth perspective, Leavenworth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prairie Village has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Prairie Village | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,900 | 38,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.14% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prairie Village
Advantages
Median household income stands at $113,530, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are roughly 50% lower than the Kansas state average, providing an exceptionally secure residential environment per AreaVibes.
Over 72% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated and intellectually engaged community per ACS data.
High homeownership rate of 77% with strong property value appreciation trends across established neighborhoods per Zillow and Census reports.
Proximity to premier shopping hubs like the Prairie Village Shops and Corinth Square offering vibrant local dining and retail options.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is approximately 25-30% higher than the national average, driven largely by elevated housing and property costs.
Heavy reliance on private automobiles with limited public transit options within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Competitive real estate market with rising home values that can create barriers to entry for first-time home buyers.
Modest inventory of multi-family rental housing within city limits, resulting in higher average monthly rent prices.
High property tax burdens associated with owning premium real estate in Johnson County.
Leavenworth
Advantages
Fort Leavenworth provides robust local economic stability and high-paying federal and civilian jobs.
Housing costs remain significantly more affordable than the nearby Kansas City metropolitan average.
Rich historic downtown district featuring local shops, dining, and well-preserved 19th-century architecture.
Abundant outdoor recreation options along the Missouri River and local municipal parks.
Strong sense of community with a welcoming, patriotic environment for military families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Limited public transit options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory for daily life.
Local property tax rates can be relatively high compared to some surrounding Kansas counties.
Winter weather brings freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall requiring careful road maintenance.
Nightlife and entertainment options are somewhat modest, requiring trips into Kansas City for major events.
Retail and dining variety is more restricted compared to larger neighboring urban centers.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Prairie Village
#242Kansas, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
72
Leavenworth
#273Kansas, USA
61.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
267/yr
Avg Temp
56.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
72
Business
65
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