City Comparison
Wichita vs Leavenworth
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Leavenworth scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wichita
Leavenworth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Leavenworth.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wichita's average rent is
17% lower than Leavenworth's.
| Metric | Wichita | Leavenworth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,150 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $165 | +3% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,025 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Leavenworth offers 6% lower 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 Wichita is estimated at
$48,000 vs $50,000 in Leavenworth.
| Metric | Wichita | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $50,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 67,391 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $68,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Wichita comes out ahead with 13 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Leavenworth sees 9.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wichita | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.40°F | 56.30°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 85.60°F |
| Winter Low | 23.60°F | 21.10°F |
| Rainfall | 35.90 in | 44.20 in |
| Snowfall | 7.90 in | 17.30 in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | 267 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 68.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Wichita has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Leavenworth.
For walkability, Leavenworth leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wichita | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita is the larger city
— approximately 10.3x the population of Leavenworth.
From a growth perspective, Leavenworth 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 | Leavenworth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 397,532 | 38,500 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.60% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| 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.
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.
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
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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