City Comparison
Olathe vs Leavenworth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olathe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Olathe
Leavenworth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Leavenworth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Olathe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olathe's average rent is
26% higher than Leavenworth's.
| Metric | Olathe | Leavenworth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,150 | +26% |
| Groceries | $420 | $380 | +11% |
| Utilities | $175 | $165 | +6% |
| Transport | $115 | $110 | +5% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $2,025 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olathe offers 19% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olathe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olathe is estimated at
$58,000 vs $50,000 in Leavenworth.
| Metric | Olathe | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,510 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $95,500 | $68,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Leavenworth comes out ahead with 12 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Olathe sees 0.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Olathe | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 21.90°F | 21.10°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 44.20 in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 267 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Leavenworth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olathe | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olathe is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Leavenworth.
From a growth perspective, Olathe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olathe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olathe | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,385 | 38,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.80% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olathe
Advantages
Olathe consistently ranks among the safest cities in Kansas with violent and property crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
The Olathe Public Schools (USD 233) district is highly rated statewide, offering exceptional educational outcomes and modern facilities.
The city features over 30 public parks, extensive trail systems, and community lakes providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Strategic location along Interstate 35 provides seamless commuting and logistics access across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.
A thriving local economy with strong job growth in technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles makes public transit options limited for those who prefer not to drive.
Property taxes in Kansas can be relatively high compared to some competing states, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition due to high regional demand.
Warm and humid summer conditions can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime activities during peak heat waves.
Suburban sprawl in newer western developments can result in longer local errand commutes.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Olathe
#40Kansas, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
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
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