St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 45.7% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 43.1% | 9.7% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $35,958 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 5.7% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 30.9% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $204,104 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 39.5% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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