Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 35.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.0% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 66.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 18.4% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 30.9% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 449 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2174 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 39.5% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.9% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.4% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 16.3% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 57.0°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 32.6 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 20.2 min | Provo + |
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, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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