City Comparison
Hays vs Shawnee
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hays
Shawnee
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Hays is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hays's average rent is
41% lower than Shawnee's.
| Metric | Hays | Shawnee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,450 | -41% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $175 | $175 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $240 | -13% |
| Monthly Total | $1,725 | $2,400 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 31% 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 Hays is estimated at
$45,000 vs $58,000 in Shawnee.
| Metric | Hays | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,364 idx | 79,592 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $95,400 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Hays comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Shawnee sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hays | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 86.30°F |
| Winter Low | 21.50°F | 22.10°F |
| Rainfall | 27.80 in | 42.80 in |
| Snowfall | 14.90 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 283 | 266 |
| Humidity | 62.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Hays has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Shawnee.
For walkability, Hays leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hays | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Shawnee is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Hays.
From a growth perspective, Shawnee is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Hays | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 21,100 | 67,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 2.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hays
Advantages
Median home prices in Hays remain significantly more affordable than the national average per recent housing data.
Hays Medical Center and Fort Hays State University provide robust employment and economic stability for the region.
Crime rates in Hays are consistently well below national averages, ensuring a safe family environment.
Average commute times are exceptionally short, typically under 15 minutes across the city.
The local economy features a lower-than-average unemployment rate supported by diverse industries.
Drawbacks
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan hubs requires significant travel for specialized entertainment or shopping.
Extreme continental weather brings hot summers and cold, windy winters with occasional severe storms.
Limited public transportation options make owning a personal vehicle essentially mandatory.
Regional dining and retail options, while growing, are more limited compared to larger Kansas cities.
Rental vacancy rates can tighten during the academic year due to the influx of university students.
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.
Hays
#93Kansas, USA
67.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
283/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
78
Business
70
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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