Irving 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)
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
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
Irving
255,036
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Irving
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Irving
41.9%
Irving +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Irving
36.7%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Irving
22.6%
Irving +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Irving
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,036 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 35.7 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 41.9% | 10.0% | Irving + |
| White | 36.7% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 12.9% | 9.7% | Irving + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 4.9% | Irving + |
| Hispanic | 43.0% | 18.4% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Irving
$79,641
Irving +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Irving
$39,462
Irving +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Irving
$63,758
Irving +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Irving
11.0%
Irving +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,641 | $63,072 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,462 | $35,958 | Irving + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Irving + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 15.9% | Irving + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.6% | 30.9% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Irving
$344,888
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Irving
38.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $344,888 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
442
Irving +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Irving
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
31.6%
Irving +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Irving
20.6%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Irving
17.0%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Irving
11.2%
Irving +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.6% | 39.5% | Irving + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.6% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.7% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 16.3% | Irving + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Irving
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Irving
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Irving, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irving leads in median household income at $79,641, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irving scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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