Wichita, Kansas
Cost of living, housing, income, commute, climate, and safety — compiled for relocators researching Wichita.
MapsToIt planning snapshot
How much does it cost to live in Wichita?
Wichita planning snapshot: population 400,991, housing index 65 (among the more affordable large markets in this catalog), median home $179,500, median rent $960, and income near $63,072. Expect 91°F summer highs, 25°F winter lows, and about 19-minute one-way commutes. Violent-offense rates run about 1141 per 100k (catalog avg 586.6).
Crime figures may use an older source vintage than housing and income on this page.
- Housing cost index
- 65U.S. avg 100
- Median home value
- $179,500U.S. $303,400
- Median rent
- $960U.S. $1,348
- Median income
- $63,072U.S. $78,538
- Unemployment
- 4.5%U.S. 4.2%
- Avg commute
- 19 minCatalog avg 25 min
- Violent crime
- 1141per 100k · avg 586.6
- Summer high
- 91°FCatalog avg 87°F
Key figures
Each metric shows how Wichita compares with the U.S. baseline (ACS/BLS nationals where available; catalog-city averages for crime, climate, and commute). Income, housing, population, and crime are for the incorporated city (city limits), not the broader metro/MSA — unemployment is county-level (BLS LAUS).
- Population
- 400,991City limits · Census PEP 2024 estimate
As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024 - Median household income
- $63,072Incorporated place (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year20% below U.S. avgU.S. $78,538 - Housing cost index
- 65ACS home+rent vs U.S. (100 = avg)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year35% below U.S. avgU.S. 100 - Median home value
- $179,500City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year41% below U.S. avgU.S. $303,400 - Median rent
- $960City limits (ACS)
As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year29% below U.S. avgU.S. $1,348 - Unemployment
- 4.5%County LAUS · not city-only
As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026Near U.S. avg (4.2 pts)U.S. 4.2 pts - Avg commute
- 19 min24% below U.S. avgU.S. 25 min
- Walk Score
- 3522% below U.S. avgU.S. 45
- Violent crime rate
- 1141annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)95% above U.S. avgU.S. 586.6 - Property crime rate
- 5321.7annualized per 100k · citywide
As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)72% above U.S. avgU.S. 3087.9 - Summer high
- 91°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals4.0°F above U.S. avgU.S. 87°F
- Winter low
- 25°FAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals9.0°F below U.S. avgU.S. 34°F
- Annual rainfall
- 34.3 inAs of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (33 in)U.S. 33 in
- Sunny days
- 278As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normalsNear U.S. avg (268)U.S. 268
Population trend
Wichita grew 4.8% from 382,745 in 2010 to 400,991 in 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024). Playback steps monthly between annual Census PEP estimates.
Is Wichita expensive compared to the U.S. average?
Compared with the U.S. average, Wichita runs 35 points lower on MapsToIt's ACS housing index. Use that single number as a quick filter, then dig into home and rent cells for the budget you actually need.
- Housing cost index 65 (U.S. 100)
- Median home $179,500 vs U.S. $303,400
- Median rent $960 vs U.S. $1,348
How much does housing cost in Wichita?
Budget first around $960/month rent or $179,500 purchase prices — both are MapsToIt ACS medians, not listing ask averages. National ACS medians are $1,348 rent and $303,400 home value for context.
- Median home value $179,500
- Median rent $960/month
- Median household income $63,072
What is the job market like in Wichita?
Labor-market context for Wichita: unemployment 4.5% and median income $63,072. Those are BLS LAUS (county) and ACS figures — industry mix still matters more than the headline rate alone.
- Unemployment 4.5% (U.S. 4.2%)
- Median income $63,072
How long is the typical commute in Wichita?
Plan on roughly 19 minutes each way in Wichita. Walk Score estimates around 35 shape how car-dependent daily errands feel. Compare that with the 25-minute catalog average before you lock a neighborhood.
- 19 minutes average one-way
- Walk Score 35/100
Is Wichita safer than similar U.S. cities?
Wichita's FBI-derived violent rate (~1141/100k) sits at or above the average of mapped MapsToIt cities. Use the figure as a screening signal, then verify the blocks you would actually live on.
- Violent 1141 per 100k
- Property 5321.7 per 100k
What is the climate like year-round in Wichita?
Wichita's climate profile: 91°F summer peaks, 25°F winter mornings, 34.3" annual rainfall, and 278 sunny days — from the nearest NOAA normals station.
- Summer high 91°F
- Winter low 25°F
- 34.3 in rain · 278 sunny days
Wide-open plains weather — wind, heat, and tornado season — is a planning factor. Roughly 278 sunny days a year give outdoor routines unusual calendar reliability. Average one-way commute time is about 19 minutes, and Walk Score estimates land around 35/100. Labor-market readings near 4.5% unemployment are neither boom nor bust by national standards. FBI CDE violent-offense rates run comparatively high (~1141 per 100k annualized), so block-by-block due diligence is especially important.
Relocators eyeing Wichita, Kansas will find roughly 400,991 residents within city limits. With median income around $63,072 and a cost index of 65, the market reads among the more affordable large markets in this catalog on housing costs. Entry home prices around $179,500 still look attainable compared with coastal metros.
Wichita sits in that mid-to-large city band where urban and quieter residential pockets often share one municipal boundary. Figures on this page are merged from Census ACS, BLS LAUS, FBI Crime Data Explorer, and NOAA Climate Normals — use them to compare Wichita with nearby alternatives before you relocate.
Nearby & similar cities
Continue researching with these internal links — each page is a full data profile.
Sources
- Census / ACS: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-year (Wichita city, 1600000US2079000) — As of 2026-09-10 · ACS 2023 5-year
- BLS: BLS LAUS · Sedgwick County, July 2026 — As of 2026-09-10 · July 2026
- Crime: FBI CIUS Table 8 (2019) city offenses known to law enforcement — rates per 100k; CDE API unavailable at enrich time — As of 2026-09-10 · 2019 offenses (FBI Table 8 fallback)
- Climate: NOAA 1991–2020 Monthly Normals (USW00003928 WICHITA) — As of 2026-09-10 · 1991–2020 NOAA normals
- Population trend: U.S. Census Bureau PEP city/town estimates (2010–2024) — As of 2026-09-10 · Census PEP 2024
Catalog refreshed 2026-09-10