Reno NV 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)
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
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
Reno
268,959
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Reno
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Reno
37.3
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Reno
63.5%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Reno
3.2%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Reno
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,959 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 16.1% | 10.0% | Reno + |
| White | 63.5% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 3.2% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 7.0% | 4.9% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 24.6% | 18.4% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,448 | $63,072 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,180 | $35,958 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $62,696 | $61,860 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.7% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 15.9% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.7% | 30.9% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Reno
$570,934
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Reno
49.4%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $570,934 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
460
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Reno
2417
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 460 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2417 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Reno
18.5%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Reno
13.0%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Reno
18.9%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.4% | 39.5% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 16.3% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 57.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.3 in | 32.6 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Reno
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Reno
22.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Reno, NV | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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