Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Charlotte +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 396,488 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 35.7 | Charlotte + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.0% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 34.1% | 9.7% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 4.9% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $63,072 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $35,958 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 5.7% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.9% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 30.9% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Wichita
15.4%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.5% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 12.6% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.7% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.4% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.3% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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