Rows tagged local are specific to Wichita (Census ACS); state rows are state averages; metro-area rows are inherited from Wichita, KS. Home value is ACS owner-reported (not a Zillow sale price).
School score: 3/10 (district 2012990 · NCES EDFacts)
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
$60,712
local
#131 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)
$36,360
local
#121 of 200
Economy
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Unemployment rate
5.70%
local
#94 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)
+1.8%
local
#152 of 200
Housing — what your money buys
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Median home price
$166,400
local
#29 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)
2.7×
local
#11 of 200
1-yr home appreciation
+3.7%
metro-area
#36 of 200
Price per square foot
$88
local
#25 of 200
Typical home size (implied)
1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)
$915
local
#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
Effective property tax rate
1.20%
local
#135 of 200
Median property tax paid
$2,002
local
#84 of 200
Healthcare & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$6,500
state
#53 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
19 min
local
#12 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.
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
Heating degree-days (heat load)
4,900
metro-area
#125 of 200
Avg summer high
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.