Wichita KS vs Worcester MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Wichita
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Wichita
35.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Wichita
10.0%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Wichita
9.7%
Worcester
12.1%
Worcester +
Asian
Wichita
4.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Wichita
18.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Wichita
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 205,501 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 10.0% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 66.6% | 58.0% | Wichita + |
| Black | 9.7% | 12.1% | Worcester + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 18.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Wichita
$63,072
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Wichita
$61,860
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Wichita
30.9%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,072 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,958 | $35,825 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 6.4% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.9% | 19.8% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $204,104 | $435,532 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 42.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita
449
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Wichita
2174
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita
39.5%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Wichita
12.6%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Wichita
12.9%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Wichita
16.3%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.5% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.9% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 17.1% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita
57.0°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.0°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.6 in | 48.1 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Wichita
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Wichita, KS | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 27.3 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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