COLD

Cost of Living in Wichita, KS

Population 396,488 · Kansas · Data vintage 2023

65
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Wichita cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $180,000, rents near $960 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 59
Rent 73

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Wichita

The median home value in Wichita is $179,500 — 41% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $960/month, 27% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $63,072/year is 15% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Kansas's top state income tax rate is 5.7% and the combined sales tax is 8.6%. Overall, Wichita has a cost of living index of 65 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 35% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$179,500
41% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$198,074
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$960/mo
27% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,124/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.6x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.4%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$625
1 BR
$695
2 BR
$872
3 BR
$1,158
4 BR
$1,257
Owner-occupied 58.4%
Renter-occupied 41.6%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$960
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,574/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
20.3 min
25% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.0%
Carpooled
9.6%
Public transit
0.7%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.4%
Work from home
6.9%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax 5.7%
Total Sales Tax 8.6%
State rate 6.5%
Avg local rate 2.1%
Property Tax 1.4%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$63,072
15% below avg
Per Capita Income
$35,958
Unemployment Rate
5.7%
18% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.9%
Labor Force Participation
65.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.6%
Graduate degree 11.2%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 35.7
Male median age 34.8
Female median age 36.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 48 — Good
56.7%
Good air days/yr
157
Max AQI recorded
138
PM2.5 days
219
Ozone days

🏫 Schools

NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data

81%
4-Year Graduation Rate
14.1:1
Student-teacher ratio
89
Public schools
49,323
Total enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wichita, KS?

Wichita has a cost index of 65 (100 = national average). It is 35% below the national average.

What is average rent in Wichita, KS?

The median gross rent in Wichita is $960 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Wichita?

The median home value in Wichita is $179,500 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Wichita?

The median household income in Wichita is $63,072 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Wichita, KS?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Wichita is 8.6%. The Kansas state income tax top rate is 5.7%.

Is Wichita, KS affordable?

Yes, Wichita is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 65 — about 35% below the US national average of 100.

Wichita at a Glance

Population
396,488
Median Income
$63,072
Home Value
$179,500
Median Rent
$960/mo
Unemployment
5.7%
Sales Tax
8.6%
View all cities in Kansas →

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