City comparison
Yes. Denver's crime index is 271 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 272 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,831 in Denver.
The cost gap between Denver and Wichita is the real story here. Wichita comes in 47% cheaper on typical rent ($1,831 vs $975), which over a year adds up to $10,272. Median household income runs $94,718 in Denver and $64,620 in Wichita.
Denver 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 Denver 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
Denver and Wichita are 436 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,831 a month in Denver to $975 a month in Wichita, down $856 a month (47%).
Median household income goes from $94,718 in Denver to $64,620 in Wichita, down $30,098 (32%).
The crime index goes from 271 in Denver to 326 in Wichita, up 55 points (20%).
The move
Wichita and Denver are 436 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,831 a month in Denver, up $856 a month (88%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $94,718 in Denver, up $30,098 (47%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 271 in Denver, down 55 points (17%).
Denver, CO
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 Denver and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
47% cheaper
Wichita rent is 47% cheaper than Denver
Denver
$1,831/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,831 in Denver, so Wichita is 47% cheaper. That's roughly $856/month back in your pocket ($10,272/year). Over five years that's $51,360 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 Denver, 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 Denver? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
47% higher
Denver's median income is 47% higher than Wichita
Denver
Winner$94,718
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 47% higher in Denver (about $30,098 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, Denver 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
17% lower crime
Denver's crime index is 17% lower than Wichita
Denver
Winner271 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Denver's crime index is 271 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Denver. 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, Denver 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
3% more comfortable
Denver weather is 3% more comfortable than Wichita
Denver
Winner62°F avg · 71°F highs · comfort 92/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Denver averages about 62°F (71°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Denver averages around 62°F. Wichita averages around 61°F. Denver scores 3% 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 47% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 62°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Denver is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 17% lower than Wichita (271 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 47% 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
Rent is the clearest fork: Wichita at $975/month versus $1,831 in Denver ($856 apart). Denver median income is $94,718 against $64,620 in Wichita, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Wichita rent at $975/month is still below Denver's $1,831, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 30/100 in Denver and 24/100 in Wichita.
Wichita clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Denver deserves a serious look only when your $94,718 income offer in Denver outweighs saving $856/month in Wichita.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Denver and Wichita, plus other cities in CO and KS.
