City Comparison
Wichita vs Shawnee
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Shawnee scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wichita
Shawnee
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
24% lower than in Shawnee.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wichita's average rent is
34% lower than Shawnee's.
| Metric | Wichita | Shawnee | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,450 | -34% |
| Groceries | $380 | $420 | -10% |
| Utilities | $170 | $175 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $115 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $240 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,400 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Shawnee offers 26% 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 Wichita is estimated at
$48,000 vs $58,000 in Shawnee.
| Metric | Wichita | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $78,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 79,592 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $95,400 |
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 — Shawnee sees 9.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wichita | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.40°F | 56.90°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 86.30°F |
| Winter Low | 23.60°F | 22.10°F |
| Rainfall | 35.90 in | 42.80 in |
| Snowfall | 7.90 in | 17.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | 266 |
| 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 Shawnee.
| Metric | Wichita | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 40.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita is the larger city
— approximately 5.9x the population of Shawnee.
From a growth perspective, Shawnee is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Shawnee has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wichita | Shawnee |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 397,532 | 67,311 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 2.80% |
| 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.
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.
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
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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