Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 35.7 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 50.7% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 35.7% | 9.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,860 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 30.9% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 449 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2174 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 39.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 12.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.3% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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