San Diego CA 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)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 102,558 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 7.2% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 5.7% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 2.7% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 22.4% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $58,568 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $31,987 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 17.4% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 25.0% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Wichita Falls + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 35.4% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 18.8% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 17.8% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 14.9% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 63.4°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 28.9 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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