Washington DC 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)
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
7.2%
White
Washington
39.1%
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 102,558 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 7.2% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.1% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 43.3% | 12.9% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.7% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $58,568 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $31,987 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $63,758 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 17.4% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 25.0% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 57.0% | Wichita Falls + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Washington +
Wichita Falls
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Washington +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita Falls +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 35.4% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 12.6% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 18.8% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 16.9% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 17.8% | Wichita Falls + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 14.9% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Wichita Falls. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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