City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,440 in Chicago.
Safety is where Chicago and Wichita split most clearly. Chicago scores 159 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,440 in Chicago and $975 in Wichita.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita costs less and Chicago pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
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
Chicago and Wichita are 589 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $975 a month in Wichita, down $465 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $64,620 in Wichita, down $13,282 (17%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 326 in Wichita, up 159 points (95%).
The move
Wichita and Chicago are 589 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,440 a month in Chicago, up $465 a month (48%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $77,902 in Chicago, up $13,282 (21%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 167 in Chicago, down 159 points (49%).
Chicago, IL
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 Chicago and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
32% cheaper
Wichita rent is 32% cheaper than Chicago
Chicago
$1,440/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,440 in Chicago, so Wichita is 32% cheaper. That's roughly $465/month back in your pocket ($5,580/year). Over five years that's $27,900 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 Chicago, 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 Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
21% higher
Chicago's median income is 21% higher than Wichita
Chicago
Winner$77,902
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Chicago (about $13,282 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, Chicago 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
49% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 49% lower than Wichita
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 49% lower in Chicago. 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, Chicago 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
35% more comfortable
Wichita weather is 35% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
53°F avg · 60°F highs · comfort 66/100
Wichita
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Chicago averages about 53°F (60°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Chicago averages around 53°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Wichita averages around 61°F. Wichita scores 35% 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 Chicago 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 and professional growth
Chicago is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($77,902). Start with Chicago if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 49% lower than Wichita (167 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
Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 32% 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.
Pick Wichita if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (61°F) beat Chicago on this page's weather index by 35%. Chicago may pay more or cost less, but Wichita is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Chicago leads on safety (44/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Chicago still pays more locally ($77,902 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Chicago rates.
Weather averages land near 53°F in Chicago and 61°F in Wichita.
Between Chicago and Wichita, Chicago is ahead on safety — 44/100 safety versus 24/100. Lean Wichita instead when you already know the Wichita block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
Ready to move to Wichita?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Wichita when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and Wichita, plus other cities in IL and KS.
