salaryWichita is the largest city in Kansas that we track, with 397,945 residents. Rent is lower than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,480 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Kansas cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Kansas. It is number 26 of 65 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Wichita with other big cities
Compare Wichita to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Wichita?
Share of households by yearly income. 20.9% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Wichita
| Size | Wichita | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $867 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $887 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,101 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,378 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,617 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Wichita overall?
Everyday prices in the Wichita metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.9, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Wichita
Life in Wichita
What jobs pay in Wichita
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,400 | 9.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $121,640 | 11.5% |
| Lawyer | $121,510 | 11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,100 | 12.0% |
| Software Developer | $105,980 | 13.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $94,790 | 14.7% |
| Operations Manager | $85,230 | 16.4% |
| Civil Engineer | $84,310 | 16.5% |
| Accountant | $79,270 | 17.6% |
| Registered Nurse | $76,540 | 18.2% |
| Electrician | $65,670 | 21.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $63,890 | 21.8% |
| Plumber | $60,940 | 22.9% |
| Police Officer | $60,840 | 22.9% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,310 | 23.1% |
| HVAC Technician | $59,520 | 23.4% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $58,640 | 23.8% |
| Truck Driver | $57,930 | 24.1% |
| Carpenter | $50,930 | 27.4% |
| Firefighter | $41,900 | 33.3% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,330 | 35.5% |
| Medical Assistant | $38,630 | 36.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,750 | 36.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,300 | 37.4% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,290 | 37.4% |
| Restaurant Cook | $34,510 | 40.4% |
| Retail Salesperson | $30,760 | 45.3% |
| Cashier | $28,430 | 49.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Wichita?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $162 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $190,800 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,080 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wichita, KS?
Renting in Wichita costs a median of about $1,162 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Kansas median is $1,222.
How much do I need to make to live in Wichita?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,480 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Wichita cheap or expensive?
Wichita is rated OK: rent takes 20.0% of the typical household income of $69,693. It ranks 26th cheapest of 65 Kansas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Wichita?
The median homeowner in Wichita pays $2,233 a year in property taxes, about 1.17% of the median home value.
Is Wichita more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Wichita?
The median home value in Wichita is $190,800, about 2.7 times the typical yearly household income.
397,945 people live in Wichita. Numbers are typical (middle) values.