Living Cost Compare
Ann Arbor

Michigan

$1,630/mo est.

vs
Wichita

Kansas

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,630 in Ann Arbor, MI versus $950 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 42% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Ann Arbor, MI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,089 in Ann Arbor, MI and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 22% higher in Ann Arbor, MI. Michigan has a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Ann Arbor, MI
Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio
$1,274
$726
+43% in Ann Arbor, MI
1 Bedroom
$1,389
$761
+45% in Ann Arbor, MI
2 Bedroom
$1,692
$976
+42% in Ann Arbor, MI
3 Bedroom
$1,812
$1,199
+34% in Ann Arbor, MI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$435,100
$179,500
+59% in Ann Arbor, MI

Income

Median Household Income
$81,089
$63,072
+22% in Ann Arbor, MI
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$55,380
$47,630
+14% in Ann Arbor, MI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
27.7 yr
35.7 yr
+8.0 yr in Wichita, KS
Homeownership
45.6%
58.4%
+12.8 pp in Wichita, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
77.7%
30.9%
+46.8 pp in Ann Arbor, MI
Avg Commute
19.9 min
18.9 min
+1.0 min in Ann Arbor, MI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
311
1,238.7
+298% in Wichita, KS
Property Crime
1,744.5
5,284.9
+203% in Wichita, KS

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
47.7°F
57.0°F
+9.3°F in Wichita, KS
Annual Precipitation
32.8 in
32.6 in
+0.2 in in Ann Arbor, MI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
23.0
15.7
+32% in Ann Arbor, MI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$19.72
$25.12
+27% in Wichita, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — Midwest vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MI / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.25%
5.58%
+1.3 pp in KS

Ann Arbor vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Ann Arbor or Wichita?
Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 42% below Ann Arbor, MI's $1,630, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Ann Arbor than in Wichita?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Ann Arbor versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Ann Arbor or Wichita?
Ann Arbor is taxed under Michigan's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.25% and a 6% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).