Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 49.4% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 38.7% | 9.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $35,958 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 30.9% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.9% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.3% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 57.0°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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