Denton TX 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)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Denton
1,299,553
Denton +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Denton
41.9%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 396,488 | Denton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.7 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 10.0% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 23.7% | 9.7% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 18.4% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Denton +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Denton +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $63,072 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $35,958 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Denton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 30.9% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Denton +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Denton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 39.5% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.3% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denton leads in median household income at $67,760, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Denton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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