Olathe 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)
Olathe, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$437,785
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
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
Olathe
143,720
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Olathe
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Olathe
36.6
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Olathe
10.7%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Olathe
78.6%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Olathe
4.9%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Olathe
4.2%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Olathe
12.6%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Olathe
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,720 | 102,558 | Olathe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 10.7% | 7.2% | Olathe + |
| White | 78.6% | 70.1% | Olathe + |
| Black | 4.9% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 2.7% | Olathe + |
| Hispanic | 12.6% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Olathe
$112,232
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Olathe
$48,655
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Olathe
$61,860
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Olathe
2.8%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Poverty Rate
Olathe
5.6%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Olathe
49.4%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,232 | $58,568 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,655 | $31,987 | Olathe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% | 3.5% | Olathe + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 17.4% | Olathe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.4% | 25.0% | Olathe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Olathe
$437,785
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Olathe
73.7%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $437,785 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.7% | 57.0% | Olathe + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
449
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Olathe
2174
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Olathe, 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 | Olathe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
32.8%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Olathe
9.5%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Olathe
14.4%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Olathe
8.1%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Olathe
17.8%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Olathe
11.3%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 35.4% | Olathe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Olathe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 18.8% | Olathe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 16.9% | Olathe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 17.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.9% | Olathe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
55.2°F
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Olathe
40.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.2°F | 63.4°F | Olathe + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Olathe
8.2 µg/m³
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Olathe
75.0%
Olathe +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Olathe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Olathe + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Olathe
22.4 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Olathe, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.4 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Olathe leads in median household income at $112,232, 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 Olathe. Olathe has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Olathe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Olathe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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