Is Wichita expensive to live in?

Wichita is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $761 per month ranks #108 of 112 and is 30% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Wichita?

Average rent in Wichita, KS runs a studio around $726, a one-bedroom around $761, a two-bedroom around $976, a three-bedroom around $1,199 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Wichita?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $761 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,072.

How much does it cost to live in Wichita per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Wichita is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Wichita, KS

Population 396,488 · Kansas

~$940/mo est.1BR $761Home $179,500

Compare with:

The cost of living in Wichita, KS is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $761 a month — 30% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $726 and two-bedrooms $976.

Median household income here is $63,072, 9% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $940 before food and transport. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $761

Studio

$726

1 Bedroom

$761

2 Bedroom

$976

3 Bedroom

$1,199

Buying a Home$179,500

Median Home Value

$179,500

Income$63,072

Median Household Income

$63,072

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$47,630

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.1¢/kWh

Electricity

15.1¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$25.12/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.94/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.94/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (KS)6.5% sales

State Sales Tax

6.50%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.58%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime1,238.7 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

1,238.7

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

5,284.9

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Wichita Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.7 yrs

Median Age

35.7 yrs

Homeownership

58.4%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.9%

Avg Commute

18.9 min

Climate57.0°F

Avg Annual Temperature

57.0°F

Annual Precipitation

32.6 in

Wichita cost of living — FAQ

Is Wichita expensive to live in?: Wichita is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $761 per month ranks #108 of 112 and is 30% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Wichita?: Average rent in Wichita, KS runs a studio around $726, a one-bedroom around $761, a two-bedroom around $976, a three-bedroom around $1,199 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Wichita?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $761 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. The median household income here is $63,072.
How much does it cost to live in Wichita per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Wichita is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Wichita with nearby cities

Wichita vs Tulsa Wichita vs Oklahoma City Wichita vs Norman Wichita vs Kansas City Wichita vs Lincoln Wichita vs Springfield

Nearby cities

Tulsa, OK 129 mi Oklahoma City, OK 154 mi Norman, OK 170 mi Kansas City, MO 178 mi Lincoln, NE 219 mi Springfield, MO 224 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.