๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 93 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Lenexa, KS

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$53,748
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$57,608
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$124,702
1BR Rent
$839
median monthly

You might not think of Lenexa, Kansas, as a tech hub, but the data says otherwise. Its software developers earn a median of nearly $125,000, and when you adjust for the cityโ€™s low cost of living, their purchasing power jumps to over $133,000. Thatโ€™s a serious paycheck in a place most people canโ€™t find on a map.

Letโ€™s talk real dollars. Lenexaโ€™s cost of living index is 93.3, meaning everything from groceries to rent is about 7% cheaper than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $839 a month. So while the overall median salary here is $53,748, that same money buys you a lifestyle that feels closer to $57,600. Itโ€™s not a get-rich-quick scheme, but your paycheck stretches noticeably further.

Whoโ€™s thriving here? Lenexa sits in the heart of the Kansas City metroโ€™s โ€œsprawl of the suburbs,โ€ with big employers like Garmin and the massive Johnson County Government Center just minutes away. That fuels demand for accountants, nurses, and skilled trades like electricians. With nearly 57% of residents holding a bachelorโ€™s degree or higher, itโ€™s an educated, white-collar workforce that supports these stable, well-paying roles.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: the cityโ€™s 2.9% unemployment rate is a sign of a tight job market, but wages arenโ€™t exactly exploding. For a professional with a family, the math works beautifullyโ€”low housing costs and good schools. For a young single person dreaming of big-city action, it might feel a bit quiet and suburban. The data below will show you exactly which careers put you ahead in this surprisingly lucrative little city.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Lenexa

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,702
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $133,657
โฑ Hourly $59.95/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,349
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $90,406
โฑ Hourly $40.55/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,339
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $90,395
โฑ Hourly $40.55/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,390
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $66,870
โฑ Hourly $30.00/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,312
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $64,643
โฑ Hourly $29.00/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Lenexa

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (93/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $124,702
2 Accountant $84,349
3 Registered Nurse $84,339
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,390
5 Electrician $60,312
6 Real Estate Agent $60,244
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,022
8 Medical Assistant $48,995
9 Paralegal $48,995
10 Welder $48,995
11 Web Developer $48,995
12 Nail Technician $48,995
13 Plumber $48,995
14 Cosmetologist $48,995
15 Personal Trainer $48,995
16 Chef/Head Cook $48,995
17 Auto Mechanic $48,995
18 Veterinary Technician $48,995
19 Social Worker $48,995
20 Dental Assistant $48,995
21 Pharmacy Technician $48,995
22 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,995
23 Police Officer $48,995
24 Project Manager $48,995
25 Graphic Designer $48,995
26 Data Analyst $48,995
27 Dental Hygienist $48,995
28 Loan Officer $48,995
29 Insurance Agent $48,995
30 Carpenter $48,995
31 Physical Therapist $48,995
32 Financial Analyst $48,995
33 Human Resources Specialist $48,995
34 Pharmacist $48,995
35 HVAC Technician $48,995
36 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,995
37 Firefighter $48,995
38 Construction Manager $48,995
39 Marketing Manager $48,995

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Lenexa

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$839/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,048/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$523,500
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.9%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$102,344
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
57%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
93
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Lenexa?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Lenexa. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Lenexa Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Lenexa, KS?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Lenexa, KS is $53,748. This is 6.7% below the national average, reflecting the area's lower cost of living. The COL Index of 93.3 means your paycheck goes further here.

What jobs pay the most in Lenexa?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Lenexa is Software Developer at $124,702. This is more than double the city's average salary of $53,748. Tech roles consistently top the pay scale in the area.

Is Lenexa affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $124,702 is highly affordable in Lenexa. With a 1BR rent of $839/month, housing costs are just 8% of gross income. This leaves substantial room for savings and discretionary spending.

How does Lenexa's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Lenexa's COL Index of 93.3 is 6.7% lower than the national average, increasing your paycheck's purchasing power. For example, a $53,748 salary here has the equivalent buying power of $57,600 nationally. Your money stretches further, especially on housing and daily expenses.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Lenexa?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably in Lenexa, a salary of around $75,000 is recommended. This covers a 1BR rent of $839/month, utilities, groceries, transportation, and discretionary spending while allowing for savings. It's about 43% higher than the city's average salary but aligns with the median household income of $102,344.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Lenexa Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Lenexa is a solid, budget-friendly base if youโ€™re in tech. At a 93.3 cost-of-living index and $839 rent, that $124,702 software-developer paycheck feels closer to $133,657 in real purchasing power. The cityโ€™s average of $53,748 works for frugal living, but itโ€™s not a launchpad for big wealth.

Tech workers win hereโ€”strong pay, low overhead. Healthcare and trades can do fine, but youโ€™ll feel the ceiling sooner unless you land a leadership role or union gig. If youโ€™re considering the move, nail down the job before the lease; salaries and opportunities skew toward established firms, and remote options can be shaky if you rely on local infrastructure.

Lenexa isnโ€™t glamorous, but itโ€™s practical. Come for the value, not the vibe.

Explore Lenexa Further