Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Indianapolis +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Indianapolis +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 396,488 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.7 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 10.0% | Indianapolis + |
| White | 53.6% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 28.1% | 9.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $35,958 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.7% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.9% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 30.9% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 449 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2174 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | 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
Indianapolis
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 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, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
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