Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Denver
62.9%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Denver
8.8%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 396,488 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.7 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 10.0% | Denver + |
| White | 62.9% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 8.8% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 18.4% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $63,072 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $35,958 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.7% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 15.9% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 30.9% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 39.5% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 12.6% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 17.7% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 16.3% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 32.6 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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