Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 70.5% | 66.6% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 9.7% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $63,072 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $35,958 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 30.9% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $204,104 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 58.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.7% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.3% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.2 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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