Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 396,488 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 35.7 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.0% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 6.6% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 4.9% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $63,072 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $35,958 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 15.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 30.9% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.5% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.6% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 17.7% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.9% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 16.3% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | 57.0°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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