Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 396,488 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 35.7 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 10.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 13.4% | 9.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 18.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $63,072 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $35,958 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 15.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 30.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 449 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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