City Comparison
Manhattan vs Shawnee
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Manhattan
Shawnee
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Manhattan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Manhattan's average rent is
24% lower than Shawnee's.
| Metric | Manhattan | Shawnee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,450 | -24% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $175 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $240 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,400 | -16% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Shawnee delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Manhattan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $58,000 in Shawnee.
| Metric | Manhattan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,053 idx | 79,592 idx |
| Household Income | $62,500 | $95,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
For sunshine, Manhattan comes out ahead with 20 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 2.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Manhattan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 86.40°F | 86.30°F |
| Winter Low | 20.70°F | 22.10°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 42.80 in |
| Snowfall | 15.50 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | 266 |
| 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 Shawnee.
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 | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Manhattan.
From a growth perspective, Shawnee is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shawnee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Manhattan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,100 | 67,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.80% |
| 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.
Shawnee
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Kansas with crime rates well below the national average
Access to top-rated public school districts within Johnson County
Expansive green spaces anchored by Shawnee Mission Park, offering diverse outdoor recreation
Strong local economy and strategic location within the Kansas City metropolitan area
Active historic downtown area featuring local dining, shopping, and community events
Drawbacks
High demand has driven up housing and property values, impacting affordability
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options
Rising property tax rates across Johnson County affecting homeowners
Cold winter conditions with potential for snow and ice accumulations
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to central Kansas City
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
Shawnee
#32Kansas, USA
71.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
82
Business
74
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