City Comparison
Leawood vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leawood
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leawood's average rent is
90% higher than Salina's.
| Metric | Leawood | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $920 | +90% |
| Groceries | $480 | $400 | +20% |
| Utilities | $190 | $180 | +6% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,790 | $1,870 | +49% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 44% higher 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 Leawood is estimated at
$75,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Leawood | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,000 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $165,000 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leawood sees 1.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leawood | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.10°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 39.80 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 17.90 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 270 | 280 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Leawood.
Salina scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Leawood leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leawood | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Leawood.
From a growth perspective, Leawood 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 | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,650 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 45.0 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.90% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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