Miami FL 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)
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
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
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Miami
39.7
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Miami
34.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Miami
13.7%
Miami +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Miami
1.6%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Miami
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 446,663 | 396,488 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 57.7% | 10.0% | Miami + |
| White | 34.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 13.7% | 9.7% | Miami + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 71.2% | 18.4% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami
$59,390
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami
$65,328
Miami +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Miami
19.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,390 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,528 | $35,958 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,860 | Miami + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.6% | 30.9% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami
$580,996
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Miami
30.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,996 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 30.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
324
Miami +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami
1453
Miami +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 449 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2174 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.5%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami
27.2%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.9% | 39.5% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 17.7% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.4% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
75.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami
64.1 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami
29.9 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Miami, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.9 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, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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