City Comparison
Leawood vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leawood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leawood
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cincinnati is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leawood's average rent is
24% higher than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Leawood | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,410 | +24% |
| Groceries | $480 | $493 | -3% |
| Utilities | $190 | $178 | +7% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,790 | $2,451 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 20% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Cincinnati delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leawood is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Leawood | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,000 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $165,000 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Leawood runs warmer on average — a 56.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Leawood comes out ahead with 270 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leawood sees 17.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leawood | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Cincinnati scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Cincinnati leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leawood | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Leawood.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati 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 | Leawood | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,650 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 45.0 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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