Emporia, KS vs Shawnee, KS

The cost of living difference between Emporia, KS and Shawnee, KS is dramatic. Emporia is 32.5% cheaper than Shawnee, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Emporia has a cost index of 66 while Shawnee sits at 97, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Emporia is $793/month compared to $1,233/month in Shawnee — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Emporia is more affordable at $127,500 median vs $332,900.

Median household income in Emporia is $52,787 compared to $106,312 in Shawnee (-50.3%). While Shawnee is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Emporia spend roughly 18% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Shawnee.