Home › KS › Wichita, KS 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, state avg) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k, state avg): 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.
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Cost of living Metric Value Scope US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 89.4 metro-area #23 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 96.5 metro-area #97 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.09 metro-area #22 of 200 Median household income $66,643 metro-area #131 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $38,526 metro-area #121 of 200
Who lives here Metric Value Scope US rank Median age 36.6 years metro-area #47 of 200 Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) 31.5% metro-area #117 of 200 Foreign-born residents 7.4% metro-area #112 of 200 Homes that are owner-occupied 64.7% metro-area #122 of 200
Economy Metric Value Scope US rank Unemployment rate 5.05% metro-area #94 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +0.7% metro-area #152 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value Scope US rank Median home price $225,557 metro-area #29 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 3.4× metro-area #11 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +3.7% metro-area #36 of 200 Price per square foot $119 metro-area #25 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,900 sqft Median rent (monthly) $1,201 metro-area #13 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 2,264 Median days on market 11 metro-area #57 of 200
Taxes Metric Value Scope US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 11.2% state #140 of 200 Combined sales tax 8.70% state #149 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 5.58% Capital gains tax 5.70% state #129 of 200 High earners No special surtax Social Security in retirement Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits Effective property tax rate 1.33% metro-area #135 of 200 Median property tax paid $2,298 metro-area #84 of 200
Health & childcare Metric Value Scope US rank Life expectancy at birth 74.9 years metro-area #156 of 200 Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,500 state #53 of 200 Uninsured (share of residents) 11.8% metro-area #152 of 200 Primary care providers per 100k 85 metro-area #55 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $12,000 state #110 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value Scope US rank Annual registration $75 state #46 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) 1.93% of value (~$540/yr) state #174 of 200 Emissions testing Not required Emissions detail No vehicle emissions testing DMV & license offices 4 Avg commute to work 20 min metro-area #12 of 200 Commute by driving alone 80.7% metro-area #184 of 200 Solo drivers commuting 30+ min 20.5% metro-area #13 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value Scope US rank Electricity 15.8¢/kWh state #64 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $142 state #64 of 200 Gasoline $3.00/gal state #24 of 200 Natural gas (avg monthly bill) $68 state #94 of 200 Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) $92 state #85 of 200 Home internet (avg monthly bill) $83 state #135 of 200
Insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Home insurance (annual) $3,300 state #159 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,700 state #80 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value Scope US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) 89.6 — Relatively Moderate metro-area #100 of 200 Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $650 state #41 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $100 state #1 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value Scope US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 47 metro-area #107 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 1,400 metro-area #109 of 200 Homes with air conditioning (state) 93% state #87 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 4,900 metro-area #125 of 200 Days per year ≥ 90°F 58 metro-area #137 of 200 Days per year ≥ 100°F 10 metro-area #181 of 200 Avg summer high (state) 92°F metro-area #163 of 200 Avg winter low 22°F metro-area #130 of 200 Annual precipitation 30.0" metro-area #47 of 200 Annual snowfall 13.0" metro-area #113 of 200 Sunshine (% of possible) 65% metro-area #52 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value Scope US rank Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) 410 state #110 of 200 Property crime (per 100k, state avg) 2,400 state #131 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value Scope US rank Grocery stores 39 metro-area #123 of 200 Parks 57 Hiking areas 6 Golf courses 34 Shooting ranges 6 Lakes 19
Permits Metric Value Scope US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 2 state #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.
Top employers in Wichita Major public and private employers in the Wichita, KS area.
Employer Sector Jobs Spirit AeroSystems Aerospace/Defense Careers → Koch Industries Manufacturing Careers → Bombardier Learjet Aerospace/Defense Careers → Textron Aviation Aerospace/Defense Careers → Ascension Via Christi Healthcare Careers →
Salaries by occupation in Wichita Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
Occupation Median pay Dentists $206,980 Financial Managers $136,550 Pharmacists $133,750 Marketing Managers $128,410 Human Resources Managers $125,000 Lawyers $121,380 Physician Assistants $107,180 Software Developers $103,920 Construction Managers $98,310 Physical Therapists $94,990 Data Scientists $93,030 Mechanical Engineers $82,430 General & Operations Managers $80,380 Civil Engineers $78,950 Dental Hygienists $76,810 Accountants & Auditors $74,530 Web Developers $71,890 Registered Nurses $67,360 Electricians $61,960 Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers $54,650 Elementary School Teachers $52,380 Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters $51,810 Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $49,610 Welders, Cutters & Solderers $49,140 Carpenters $47,080 Graphic Designers $46,740 Real Estate Sales Agents $43,790 Medical Assistants $36,620
Cities in the Wichita area
What your paycheck is really worth, city by city — cost of living, taxes,
housing and pay across 200 US metros and 3,220 towns.
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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 from Google Maps public listings.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.
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