City Comparison
Shawnee vs Leavenworth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Shawnee
Leavenworth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Leavenworth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shawnee's average rent is
26% higher than Leavenworth's.
| Metric | Shawnee | Leavenworth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,150 | +26% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,025 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 26% higher 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 Shawnee is estimated at
$58,000 vs $50,000 in Leavenworth.
| Metric | Shawnee | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $68,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Shawnee | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | 21.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 44.20 in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 267 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Leavenworth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shawnee | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Leavenworth.
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 | Shawnee | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,311 | 38,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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
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.
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
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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