A+
8%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
22%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Wichita Kansas National
Cost of living9289100
Goods & Services9992100
Groceries9897100
Health care9497100
Housing7876100
Transportation9290100
Utilities104107100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Wichita, KS

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Wichita is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Wichita is 92, which is 8% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Wichita closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Wichita can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Wichita?

The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 31 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Wichita. The feedback revealed that 65% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 35% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.

Is Wichita Affordable?

Is Wichita affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Wichita, for instance, where the median home price falls 25.2% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 13.5% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Wichita flaunting a median household income of $53,466, 3.4% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Wichita?

Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.

Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Wichita, the transportation index is 8.2% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The Wichita cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. The index takes into account data from 300 independent researches, covering more than 60 goods and services across 6 different categories, to create an overall index for each area, with 100 being the average. The C2ER index does not include sales or income tax rates in their data, however AreaVibes does include both income and sales tax rates in the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Wichita is 3% higher than the Kansas average
  • The cost of living in Wichita is 8% lower than the national average
  • Wichita housing is 22% lower than the national average
  • Kansas general sales tax is 27% higher than the national average
  • Kansas state income tax is 19% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Wichita

See all the best places to live around Wichita

Compare Wichita, KS Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$73,061$6,088$1,705$2,192
      Renters$34,440$2,870$804$1,033
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Wichita, KS, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Wichita, homeowners have a median income of $73,061. Using that number, a maximum of $1,705 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $34,440, which means there is a maximum of $804 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Kansas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Kansas 6.5% 11.5%

      Kansas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Kansas 3.1% 4.7%

      Goods & Services

      Item Wichita National avg. Difference
      Haircut $25.61$24.265.6%
      Beauty Salon $47.04$45.563.2%
      Toothpaste $3.63$3.701.9%
      Shampoo $1.15$1.2810.1%
      Movie $11.66$12.133.9%
      Bowling $12.94$18.0028.1%

      Groceries

      Item Wichita National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.07$5.843.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.37$1.5713.0%
      Milk $4.68$4.670.1%
      Potatoes $4.62$4.936.4%
      Pizza $12.02$12.090.5%
      Beer $9.70$10.416.8%

      Health Care

      Item Wichita National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $150.93$125.6820.1%
      Doctor $112.22$135.7817.3%
      Dentist $99.52$113.2912.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.31$10.653.2%
      Lipitor $521.48$468.6011.3%

      Housing

      Item Wichita National avg. Difference
      Home Price $138,100.00$184,700.0025.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,619.59$2,346.6931.0%
      Apartment Rent $821.00$949.0013.5%

      Transportation

      Item Wichita National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.14$3.469.4%
      Tire Balancing $56.76$59.925.3%

      Utilities

      Item Wichita National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $200.72$193.993.5%
      Phone $199.37$192.253.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Oaklawn-Sunview, KS3,3548119.1%
      Haysville, KS11,2608910.8%
      Mulvane, KS6,025909.9%
      Bentley, KS474919.4%
      Benton, KS898927.6%
      Wichita, KS390,566927.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      New Orleans, LA391,2491066.0%
      Tampa, FL395,9121077.5%
      Arlington, TX397,2691054.7%
      Cleveland, OH383,3318317.4%
      Bakersfield, CA379,87912120.6%
      Wichita, KS390,566927.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.