City Comparison
Manhattan vs Leavenworth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Manhattan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manhattan
Leavenworth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Manhattan | Leavenworth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,150 | -4% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,025 | -0% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leavenworth offers 6% lower 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 Manhattan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $50,000 in Leavenworth.
| Metric | Manhattan | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,053 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $62,500 | $68,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Manhattan comes out ahead with 19 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leavenworth sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manhattan | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.40°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 20.70°F | 21.10°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 44.20 in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 267 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manhattan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Leavenworth.
Manhattan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Manhattan | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manhattan is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Leavenworth.
From a growth perspective, Manhattan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Manhattan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manhattan | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,100 | 38,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Manhattan
Advantages
Cost of living sits approximately 5% below the national average per recent cost-of-living indices.
Exceptional public safety ratings with crime rates well below state and national medians.
Proximity to Tuttle Creek Lake offers vast outdoor recreation, boating, and hiking opportunities.
Vibrant arts, cultural events, and Division I Big 12 collegiate athletics anchored by K-State.
High educational attainment levels and strong local public school performance.
Drawbacks
Rental market can experience tight inventories and higher prices near the university campus.
Local economy is heavily reliant on the university and military base, creating vulnerability to state/federal budget shifts.
Limited commercial flight options out of Manhattan Regional Airport require driving to Kansas City for major travel.
Humid continental climate brings notably cold winter extremes and occasional severe spring weather.
Public transit options are somewhat limited outside of core fixed-route bus services.
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.
Manhattan
#170Kansas, USA
64.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
77
Business
70
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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