Tampa FL vs Wichita Falls TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tampa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Tampa
35.6
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Tampa
51.8%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Tampa
21.3%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Tampa
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 102,558 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 7.2% | Tampa + |
| White | 51.8% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 21.3% | 12.9% | Tampa + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 2.7% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 26.2% | 22.4% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Tampa
4.7%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,302 | $58,568 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,513 | $31,987 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.6% | 25.0% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tampa
$376,530
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Tampa
50.2%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $376,530 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tampa
15.9%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.9% | 35.4% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 18.8% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 16.9% | Tampa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.8% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.9% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
73.4°F
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita Falls +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tampa
46.3 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 73.4°F | 63.4°F | Wichita Falls + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tampa
75.0%
Tampa +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Tampa + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tampa
26.8 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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