Kansas City KS vs Wichita Falls TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 102,558 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 7.2% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 20.4% | 12.9% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 2.7% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 22.4% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita Falls +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $58,568 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $31,987 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 17.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 25.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 57.0% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wichita Falls +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 18.8% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.8% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Kansas City +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Kansas City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Kansas City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Kansas City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
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