Washington DC 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)
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, 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
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Wichita
396,488
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Washington
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Washington
39.1%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Washington
4.1%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Washington
11.6%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Washington
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 672,079 | 396,488 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.7 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 13.3% | 10.0% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 43.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 11.6% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Washington
6.5%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,287 | $63,072 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $75,253 | $35,958 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $101,182 | $61,860 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.5% | 15.9% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 63.6% | 30.9% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Washington
$580,173
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Washington
41.1%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $580,173 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.1% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
398
Washington +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Washington
1999
Washington +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Washington
24.0%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.6% | 39.5% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.8% | 12.6% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.7% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 12.9% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 16.3% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Washington
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Washington, DC | 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.)
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Washington
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Washington
32.8 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Washington, DC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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