City Comparison
Manhattan vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manhattan
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Manhattan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manhattan's average rent is
20% higher than Salina's.
| Metric | Manhattan | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $920 | +20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $1,870 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 12% lower 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 Manhattan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Manhattan | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,053 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $62,500 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Salina sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manhattan | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.40°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 20.70°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 280 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
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 | Manhattan | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Manhattan is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Salina.
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 | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,100 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.90% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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