Tucson AZ 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)
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
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
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tucson
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Tucson
58.2%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Tucson
5.0%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Tucson
3.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Tucson
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,348 | 396,488 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.7 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 13.7% | 10.0% | Tucson + |
| White | 58.2% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 5.0% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 42.7% | 18.4% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tucson
$54,546
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Tucson
$31,152
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tucson
$59,120
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Tucson
6.4%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Tucson
18.8%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tucson
30.2%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $54,546 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,152 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.2% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tucson
$324,946
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Tucson
51.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,946 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
450
Wichita
449
Wichita +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 449 | Wichita + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2174 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tucson
18.3%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tucson
15.7%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 12.6% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 15.4% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.3% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
69.8°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.8°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.2 in | 32.6 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tucson
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tucson
23.9 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.9 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, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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