Virginia Beach VA 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)
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
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
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Virginia Beach
37.4
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | 396,488 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 9.1% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 61.6% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 18.9% | 9.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 7.2% | 4.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,685 | $63,072 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $47,372 | $35,958 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 15.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.4% | 30.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $427,121 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.9% | 58.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 39.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 12.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 17.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 12.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.3% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Virginia Beach
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | 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.)
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Virginia Beach, VA | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Virginia Beach, VALos Angeles, CA vs Virginia Beach, VAChicago, IL vs Virginia Beach, VAHouston, TX vs Virginia Beach, VAPhoenix, AZ vs Virginia Beach, VAPhiladelphia, PA vs Virginia Beach, VA