City Comparison
Enid vs Shawnee
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Enid
Shawnee
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Enid is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Enid's average rent is
34% lower than Shawnee's.
| Metric | Enid | Shawnee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,400 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 32% 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 Enid is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Shawnee.
| Metric | Enid | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,095 idx | 79,592 idx |
| Household Income | $56,500 | $95,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.8°F of each other.
For sunshine, Enid comes out ahead with 16 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 11.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Enid | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 89.90°F | 86.30°F |
| Winter Low | 27.50°F | 22.10°F |
| Rainfall | 34.50 in | 42.80 in |
| Snowfall | 6.20 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | 266 |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Enid has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Shawnee.
| Metric | Enid | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 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 0.7x the population of Enid.
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 | Enid | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 50,123 | 67,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Enid
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates are significantly below the national average per Zillow and US Census data.
Short average commute times of under 20 minutes make daily travel stress-free.
Presence of Vance Air Force Base contributes a stable, patriotic, and diverse economic foundation.
Abundant recreational spaces, including the expansive Meadowlake Park and local aquatic facilities.
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by two major regional medical centers.
Drawbacks
Public transportation options are very limited, creating high reliance on personal automobiles.
Extreme weather events, including summer heat waves and occasional severe spring storms, require preparedness.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs like Oklahoma City.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail national benchmarks.
Air quality and climate can be impacted by regional wind, agricultural dust, and seasonal allergens.
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.
Enid
#140Oklahoma, USA
65.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$53,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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