Boise ID vs Wichita KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boise
235,701
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 83.6% | 66.6% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $63,072 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $35,958 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 5.7% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.9% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 30.9% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 58.4% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 449 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2174 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 57.0°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 32.6 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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