Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 396,488 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 35.7 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 10.0% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 39.9% | 9.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 4.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $35,958 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,860 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 30.9% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2174 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.5% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.6% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.7% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.4% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 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, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Philadelphia, PALos Angeles, CA vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAHouston, TX vs Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs San Antonio, TX