City Comparison
Salina vs Leavenworth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salina
Leavenworth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
8% lower than in Leavenworth.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salina's average rent is
20% lower than Leavenworth's.
| Metric | Salina | Leavenworth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $920 | $1,150 | -20% |
| Groceries | $400 | $380 | +5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $165 | +9% |
| Transport | $120 | $110 | +9% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $220 | +14% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,025 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salina offers 6% higher 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 Salina is estimated at
$36,792 vs $50,000 in Leavenworth.
| Metric | Salina | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,745 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,792 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,177 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $61,783 | $68,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leavenworth sees 1.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salina | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 88.10°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 21.10°F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | 44.20 in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | 267 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Leavenworth.
For walkability, Leavenworth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Salina | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 39.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Leavenworth.
From a growth perspective, Leavenworth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Leavenworth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salina | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,307 | 38,500 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
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.
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
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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