New York NY 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)
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Wichita
10.0%
White
New York
35.9%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 396,488 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 10.0% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 22.7% | 9.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 4.9% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 18.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $63,072 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $35,958 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 30.9% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 39.5% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 12.6% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.7% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 12.9% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.3% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 57.0°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | New York, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs New York, NYNew York, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew York, NY vs Philadelphia, PANew York, NY vs San Antonio, TX