Wichita, KS
Census place 2079000 · pop 397,945
The 'Air Capital of the World,' where Cessna, Beechcraft, and Learjet built much of America's aircraft industry.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities
1239 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 964/100k · worse than most cities
5285 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.47 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
39.5% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
16.3% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
12.9% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
15.9% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities
95/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
27.9% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
58.9% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$64,620 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.17% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities
17.7% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities
3.8% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities
+2.1% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities
3 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
91.5% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities
43 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities
31.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$190,800 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
18 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,143/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
Frequently asked
- Is Wichita, KS a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Wichita scores 42/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is rent and its weakest is violent crime rate. Kansas overall ranks #20 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Wichita, KS?
- Wichita reports 1239 violent crimes per 100k and 5285 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Wichita, KS expensive to live in?
- Wichita has a median home value of $190,800 and typical rent around $1,143/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Wichita, KS?
- Its weakest measured area is violent crime rate (1239/100k) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Wichita, KS best at?
- Its strongest measured area is rent ($1,143/mo) — 91/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: The 'Air Capital of the World,' where Cessna, Beechcraft, and Learjet built much of America's aircraft industry.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.