City Comparison
Salina vs Prairie Village
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salina
Prairie Village
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Prairie Village.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salina's average rent is
49% lower than Prairie Village's.
| Metric | Salina | Prairie Village | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $920 | $1,800 | -49% |
| Groceries | $400 | $420 | -5% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $230 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $1,870 | $2,760 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 125 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Prairie Village offers 16% 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 Salina is estimated at
$36,792 vs $65,000 in Prairie Village.
| Metric | Salina | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,745 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $36,792 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,177 idx | 62,400 idx |
| Household Income | $61,783 | $113,530 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.4°F of each other.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Prairie Village sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salina | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 88.10°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 26.10 in | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 16.20 in | 18.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Prairie Village.
For walkability, Prairie Village leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Salina | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 39.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salina is the larger city
— approximately 2x the population of Prairie Village.
From a growth perspective, Prairie Village is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Prairie Village has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salina | Prairie Village |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,307 | 22,900 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.14% |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 2.90% |
| 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.
Prairie Village
Advantages
Median household income stands at $113,530, reflecting a prosperous and economically stable local population per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Crime rates are roughly 50% lower than the Kansas state average, providing an exceptionally secure residential environment per AreaVibes.
Over 72% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, creating an educated and intellectually engaged community per ACS data.
High homeownership rate of 77% with strong property value appreciation trends across established neighborhoods per Zillow and Census reports.
Proximity to premier shopping hubs like the Prairie Village Shops and Corinth Square offering vibrant local dining and retail options.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is approximately 25-30% higher than the national average, driven largely by elevated housing and property costs.
Heavy reliance on private automobiles with limited public transit options within the immediate municipal boundaries.
Competitive real estate market with rising home values that can create barriers to entry for first-time home buyers.
Modest inventory of multi-family rental housing within city limits, resulting in higher average monthly rent prices.
High property tax burdens associated with owning premium real estate in Johnson County.
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
Prairie Village
#242Kansas, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
125
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.14%
Unemployment
2.90%
Livability
85
Business
72
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