City Comparison
Olathe vs Manhattan
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olathe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Olathe
Manhattan
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manhattan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Olathe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olathe's average rent is
32% higher than Manhattan's.
| Metric | Olathe | Manhattan | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,100 | +32% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,020 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olathe offers 28% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olathe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olathe is estimated at
$58,000 vs $50,000 in Manhattan.
| Metric | Olathe | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,510 idx | 61,053 idx |
| Household Income | $95,500 | $62,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Manhattan comes out ahead with 31 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Olathe sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Olathe | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | 86.40°F |
| Winter Low | 21.90°F | 20.70°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 32.30 in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | 15.50 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 286 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Manhattan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Olathe.
Manhattan scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Manhattan leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olathe | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olathe is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Manhattan.
From a growth perspective, Olathe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olathe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olathe | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,385 | 54,100 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.80% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 26.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olathe
Advantages
Olathe consistently ranks among the safest cities in Kansas with violent and property crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
The Olathe Public Schools (USD 233) district is highly rated statewide, offering exceptional educational outcomes and modern facilities.
The city features over 30 public parks, extensive trail systems, and community lakes providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Strategic location along Interstate 35 provides seamless commuting and logistics access across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.
A thriving local economy with strong job growth in technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles makes public transit options limited for those who prefer not to drive.
Property taxes in Kansas can be relatively high compared to some competing states, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition due to high regional demand.
Warm and humid summer conditions can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime activities during peak heat waves.
Suburban sprawl in newer western developments can result in longer local errand commutes.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Olathe
#40Kansas, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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
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