Cost of living in Wichita, KS Livability score 72 · cost-of-living index 89.4 (US = 100)
How Wichita compares Where Wichita falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 89 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 89 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $226k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $226k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $119 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $119 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.7% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.7% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 1.33% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 1.33% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 410 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 410 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 15.8 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 15.8 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 92° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 92° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 22° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 22° Map of Wichita Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 89.4 #23 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.5 #97 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.09 #22 of 200 Median household income $66,643 #131 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $38,526 #121 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 5.05% #94 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +0.7% #152 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $225,557 #29 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.4× #11 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +3.7% #36 of 200 Price per square foot $119 #25 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,900 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,201 #13 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 2,264 Median days on market 11 #57 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.2% #140 of 200 Combined sales tax 8.70% #149 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 5.70% Capital gains tax 5.70% #129 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 1.33% #135 of 200 Median property tax paid $2,298 #84 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,500 #53 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $75 #46 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.93% of value (~$540/yr) #174 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 4 Avg commute to work 20 min #12 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 15.8¢/kWh #64 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $142 #64 of 200 Gasoline $3.00/gal #24 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $3,300 #159 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,700 #80 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $650 #41 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 47 #107 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,400 #109 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 4,900 #125 of 200 Avg summer high 92°F #163 of 200 Avg winter low 22°F #130 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 410 #110 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 2,400 #131 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 39 #123 of 200 Parks 57 Hiking areas 6 Golf courses 34 Shooting ranges 6 Lakes 19
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 #1 of 200 Permit detail Generally easy
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this site are affiliate links —
we may earn a commission when you use them, at no extra cost to you.
Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.