San Diego CA 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)
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, 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
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Wichita
10.0%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 396,488 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 10.0% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 5.7% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 4.9% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 18.4% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $63,072 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $35,958 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 15.9% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 30.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 39.5% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.6% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.7% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 12.9% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 32.6 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 503 in San Diego. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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