Wichita Falls TX 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)
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Wichita Falls
102,558
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Wichita Falls
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
18.4%
Spanish at Home
Wichita Falls
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,558 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 35.7 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 70.1% | 66.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Black | 12.9% | 9.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 22.4% | 18.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Wichita Falls
25.0%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,568 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,987 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% | 5.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Wichita Falls
57.0%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $174,763 | $204,104 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
2339
Wichita
2174
Wichita +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Wichita + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita
12.6%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Wichita Falls
18.8%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.4% | 39.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.3% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.4°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 28.9 in | 32.6 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Wichita Falls
55.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Wichita +
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wichita + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Wichita Falls, TX | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 15.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Wichita Falls, TXLos Angeles, CA vs Wichita Falls, TXChicago, IL vs Wichita Falls, TXHouston, TX vs Wichita Falls, TXPhoenix, AZ vs Wichita Falls, TXPhiladelphia, PA vs Wichita Falls, TX