Kansas City, KS vs Shawnee, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Kansas City is 20.6% cheaper than Shawnee. With a cost index of 77 vs 97, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Kansas City to Shawnee should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Kansas City is $1,073/month compared to $1,233/month in Shawnee — a 13% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Kansas City is more affordable at $147,100 median vs $332,900.

Median household income in Kansas City is $59,183 compared to $106,312 in Shawnee (-44.3%). 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 Kansas City spend roughly 21.8% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Shawnee.