City Comparison
Leawood vs Topeka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leawood scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leawood
Topeka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Topeka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Leawood.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leawood's average rent is
94% higher than Topeka's.
| Metric | Leawood | Topeka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $900 | +94% |
| Groceries | $480 | $450 | +7% |
| Utilities | $190 | $245 | -22% |
| Transport | $140 | $120 | +17% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,790 | $1,965 | +42% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leawood offers 49% higher 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 Leawood is estimated at
$75,000 vs $55,000 in Topeka.
| Metric | Leawood | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $95,000 | $63,547 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 76,000 idx | 73,892 idx |
| Household Income | $165,000 | $69,888 |
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 | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| 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% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Topeka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Leawood.
Topeka 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 | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Topeka is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x 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 | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 34,650 | 125,607 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 45.0 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.10% |
| 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.
Topeka
Advantages
The cost of living in Topeka is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Topeka boasts short average commute times, reducing daily travel stress for residents.
The city offers a strong sense of community, often described as a 'biggest small town' feel.
There is a diverse range of housing options available, catering to various preferences and budgets.
Topeka provides ample parks, trails, and outdoor spaces for recreation and an active lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Topeka has a high crime rate, particularly for violent and property crimes, exceeding national averages.
Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Topeka can be hot and humid, with extreme weather patterns.
Healthcare costs, specifically health insurance premiums, are higher than the national average.
The city's job growth rate is projected to be modest, potentially slower than national and regional averages.
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
Topeka
#538Kansas, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$63,547
Cost Index
86
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
43.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
60
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