San Jose 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 Jose, CA
California · Population: 990,054
- Median HH Income$141,565
- Median Home Price$1,452,609
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+46.5%
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 Jose
990,054
San Jose +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Jose
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
San Jose
38.1
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
San Jose
41.6%
San Jose +
Wichita
10.0%
White
San Jose
29.0%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
San Jose
2.9%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
San Jose
38.6%
San Jose +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
San Jose
30.9%
San Jose +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
San Jose
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 396,488 | San Jose + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 41.6% | 10.0% | San Jose + |
| White | 29.0% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 2.9% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 38.6% | 4.9% | San Jose + |
| Hispanic | 30.9% | 18.4% | San Jose + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Jose
$141,565
San Jose +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
San Jose
$63,253
San Jose +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Jose
$77,230
San Jose +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
San Jose
4.7%
San Jose +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
San Jose
7.8%
San Jose +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Jose
46.5%
San Jose +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,565 | $63,072 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Income | $63,253 | $35,958 | San Jose + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | San Jose + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 5.7% | San Jose + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 15.9% | San Jose + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.5% | 30.9% | San Jose + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Jose
$1,452,609
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
San Jose
56.0%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,452,609 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.0% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
503
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Jose
2388
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | San Jose, 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 Jose
23.7%
San Jose +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Jose
11.1%
San Jose +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Jose
14.9%
San Jose +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.1%
San Jose +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Jose
13.0%
San Jose +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Jose
9.4%
San Jose +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.7% | 39.5% | San Jose + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 12.6% | San Jose + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 17.7% | San Jose + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 12.9% | San Jose + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 15.4% | San Jose + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.3% | San Jose + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
61.5°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Jose
14.9 in
San Jose +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.5°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.9 in | 32.6 in | San Jose + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Jose
7.9 µg/m³
San Jose +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Jose
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | San Jose + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Jose
30.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Jose leads in median household income at $141,565, 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 Jose. San Jose has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and San Jose has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Jose scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Jose, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Jose, CAChicago, IL vs San Jose, CAHouston, TX vs San Jose, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Jose, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Jose, CA