City Comparison
Shawnee vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Shawnee
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Shawnee's average rent is
58% higher than Salina's.
| Metric | Shawnee | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $920 | +58% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $1,870 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 19% 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 Shawnee is estimated at
$58,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Shawnee | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 79,592 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $95,400 | $61,783 |
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 — Shawnee sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Shawnee | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.90°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 86.30°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 42.80 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | 280 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Shawnee.
For walkability, Shawnee leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Shawnee | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Salina.
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 | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,311 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 3.90% |
| 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
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.
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
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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