Olathe, KS vs Shawnee, KS

Olathe, KS and Shawnee, KS have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Olathe scores 100 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 Olathe is $1,314/month compared to $1,233/month in Shawnee — a 7% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Shawnee is more affordable at $332,900 median vs $340,600.

Median household income in Olathe is $112,232 compared to $106,312 in Shawnee (+5.6%). While Olathe is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Olathe spend roughly 14% of their income on rent, more than the 13.9% in Shawnee.