City Comparison
Leavenworth vs Lenexa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leavenworth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Leavenworth
Lenexa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Leavenworth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
32% lower than in Lenexa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Leavenworth's average rent is
39% lower than Lenexa's.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Lenexa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,890 | -39% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $165 | $300 | -45% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,025 | $2,960 | -32% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leavenworth offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Leavenworth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Leavenworth is estimated at
$50,000 vs $65,000 in Lenexa.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $58,657 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 67,391 idx | 52,844 idx |
| Household Income | $68,000 | $103,239 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.6°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Lenexa sees 0.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.30°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 85.60°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 21.10°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 44.20 in | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | 18.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 267 | 266 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Lenexa has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Leavenworth.
Lenexa scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lenexa leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Lenexa is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Leavenworth.
From a growth perspective, Lenexa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Leavenworth | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 38,500 | 58,384 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Lenexa
Advantages
Low crime rates, with violent crimes significantly below the national average, contributing to a high safety score.
High livability score of 86 out of 100, attributed to excellent amenities, low crime, and convenient access to services.
Strong economy with a robust job market and a low unemployment rate, offering ample opportunities in various sectors.
Short average commute times, around 19.4 minutes, allowing residents more personal time.
High educational attainment, with nearly 97% of residents holding a high school diploma and nearly 57% a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
Higher cost of housing compared to national and state averages, making homeownership a significant investment.
Car dependency is high, as public transit and walkability scores are moderate, indicating personal vehicles are the primary mode of transport.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan areas, which may be a drawback for some residents.
Weather can present challenges, with distinct seasons including warm, humid summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall.
Traffic congestion can occur, although the Kansas City metro area is noted for being relatively less congested compared to other large metros.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Lenexa
#312Kansas, USA
60.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,890
Avg Salary
$58,657
Cost Index
111
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
56.90°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
86
Business
68
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Leavenworth and Lenexa.
Open Cost Calculator