City comparison
Yes. Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 130 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,470 in Arlington.
Safety is where Arlington and Wichita split most clearly. Arlington scores 194 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,470 in Arlington and $975 in Wichita.
Arlington is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Wichita makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Arlington is the stronger move.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Wichita at $975 average has pockets that run $775 and others at $1,375: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Arlington and Wichita are 343 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,470 a month in Arlington to $975 a month in Wichita, down $495 a month (34%).
Median household income goes from $75,171 in Arlington to $64,620 in Wichita, down $10,551 (14%).
The crime index goes from 132 in Arlington to 326 in Wichita, up 194 points (147%).
The move
Wichita and Arlington are 343 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,470 a month in Arlington, up $495 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $75,171 in Arlington, up $10,551 (16%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 132 in Arlington, down 194 points (60%).
Arlington, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Arlington and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
34% cheaper
Wichita rent is 34% cheaper than Arlington
Arlington
$1,470/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,470 in Arlington, so Wichita is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $495/month back in your pocket ($5,940/year). Over five years that's $29,700 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Arlington, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Wichita is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Arlington? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
16% higher
Arlington's median income is 16% higher than Wichita
Arlington
Winner$75,171
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 16% higher in Arlington (about $10,551 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Arlington is the stronger labor market on paper. Wichita can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
60% lower crime
Arlington's crime index is 60% lower than Wichita
Arlington
Winner132 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Arlington's crime index is 132 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 60% lower in Arlington. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Arlington is the easier city. Wichita can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Arlington weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
Arlington
Winner67°F avg · 74°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Arlington averages about 67°F (74°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Arlington sits near 67°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. Arlington scores 12% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Wichita if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 16% higher ($75,171), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 67°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Arlington is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 60% lower than Wichita (132 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Wichita
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 34% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Wichita if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
Wichita carries the heavier crime signal on this page (24/100 safety vs 52/100 in Arlington). That 28-point spread matters more than the $495 rent gap when you are choosing where to walk after dark.
Arlington still pays more locally ($75,171 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Arlington rates.
Median income is $75,171 in Arlington versus $64,620 in Wichita.
If safety drives your move, Arlington is the stronger match (52/100 safety versus 24/100). If an employer or family tie already points to Wichita, treat $975/month rent and $64,620 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Nearby research
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