City Comparison
Wichita vs Lenexa
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wichita scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wichita
Lenexa
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
38% lower than in Lenexa.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wichita's average rent is
50% lower than Lenexa's.
| Metric | Wichita | Lenexa | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,890 | -50% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $300 | -43% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,960 | -38% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 111 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lenexa offers 1% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wichita delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wichita is estimated at
$48,000 vs $65,000 in Lenexa.
| Metric | Wichita | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $58,657 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $65,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 52,844 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $103,239 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wichita comes out ahead with 14 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lenexa sees 10.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wichita | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.40°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 86.10°F |
| Winter Low | 23.60°F | 22.20°F |
| Rainfall | 35.90 in | 42.60 in |
| Snowfall | 7.90 in | 18.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | 266 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
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 | Wichita | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita is the larger city
— approximately 6.8x the population of Lenexa.
From a growth perspective, Lenexa is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wichita has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wichita | Lenexa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 397,532 | 58,384 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.60% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wichita
Advantages
Median home prices in Wichita are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average daily commute times are notably shorter than the U.S. average, reducing daily transit stress per Census Bureau reports.
The city offers a robust and growing arts and culinary scene, particularly in the historic Old Town and Delano districts.
Wichita serves as a major regional healthcare hub with world-class hospital systems like Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center.
Abundant green spaces, including the Arkansas River multi-use paths and Botanica Gardens, provide strong outdoor recreation options.
Drawbacks
The local economy experiences cyclical fluctuations due to its heavy reliance on the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be quite high and breezy, while winters occasionally bring unpredictable severe weather and ice storms.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates relative to suburban developments.
Voter-approved public transit and infrastructure funding have historically lagged behind growing metropolitan expansion needs.
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.
Wichita
#290Kansas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
58.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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
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