City Comparison
Duncan vs Shawnee
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Duncan
Shawnee
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Duncan is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Duncan's average rent is
41% lower than Shawnee's.
| Metric | Duncan | Shawnee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,730 | $2,400 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 33% 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 Duncan is estimated at
$42,000 vs $58,000 in Shawnee.
| Metric | Duncan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,415 idx | 79,592 idx |
| Household Income | $54,200 | $95,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Duncan runs warmer on average — a 7.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Duncan comes out ahead with 23 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 13 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Duncan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 64.50°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 89.20°F | 86.30°F |
| Winter Low | 32.50°F | 22.10°F |
| Rainfall | 33.10 in | 42.80 in |
| Snowfall | 4.70 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 289 | 266 |
| Humidity | 63.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Duncan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Shawnee.
| Metric | Duncan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Duncan.
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 | Duncan | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,692 | 67,311 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 40.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Duncan
Advantages
Median home prices in Duncan are significantly below the national average per recent housing data.
Short average commute times allow residents to avoid major traffic congestion.
Low overall cost of living index makes everyday expenses manageable.
Access to comprehensive local medical services via Duncan Regional Hospital.
Strong community engagement and family-friendly neighborhood atmospheres.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation infrastructure requires high car dependency.
Hot summer temperatures can lead to elevated seasonal utility cooling bills.
Narrower diversity of high-paying corporate tech or finance jobs locally.
Fewer high-end entertainment and nightlife options compared to major metros.
Local economic growth rate is modest relative to fast-growing Sun Belt cities.
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.
Duncan
#134Oklahoma, USA
65.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
289/yr
Avg Temp
64.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
73
Business
65
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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