Gardner, KS vs Shawnee, KS

Gardner, KS and Shawnee, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.8% difference in their overall index. Gardner scores 95 while Shawnee scores 97 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gardner is $1,296/month compared to $1,233/month in Shawnee — a 5% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Shawnee has cheaper rent, Gardner actually has lower median home values ($276,000 vs $332,900).

Median household income in Gardner is $92,579 compared to $106,312 in Shawnee (-12.9%). 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 Gardner spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Shawnee.