City comparison
Yes. Houston's crime index is 270 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 294 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,361 in Houston.
The cost gap between Houston and Wichita is the real story here. Wichita comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,361 vs $975), which over a year adds up to $4,632. Median household income runs $64,813 in Houston and $64,620 in Wichita.
Houston 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 Houston 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
Houston and Wichita are 559 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,361 a month in Houston to $975 a month in Wichita, down $386 a month (28%).
Median household income goes from $64,813 in Houston to $64,620 in Wichita, down $193 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 270 in Houston to 326 in Wichita, up 56 points (21%).
The move
Wichita and Houston are 559 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,361 a month in Houston, up $386 a month (40%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $64,813 in Houston, up $193 (under 1%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 270 in Houston, down 56 points (17%).
Houston, 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 Houston and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
28% cheaper
Wichita rent is 28% cheaper than Houston
Houston
$1,361/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,361 in Houston, so Wichita is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $386/month back in your pocket ($4,632/year). Over five years that's $23,160 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 Houston, 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 Houston? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Houston's median income is 1% higher than Wichita
Houston
Winner$64,813
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $64,813 in Houston versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Houston (about $193 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
17% lower crime
Houston's crime index is 17% lower than Wichita
Houston
Winner270 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Houston's crime index is 270 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 17% lower in Houston. 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, Houston 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
Houston weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
Houston
Winner70°F avg · 78°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Houston averages about 70°F (78°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Houston sits near 70°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. Houston 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 1% higher ($64,813), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 70°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Houston 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 (270 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 28% 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
Housing separates these metros first: $975/month in Wichita versus $1,361 in Houston. Median income reads $64,620 in Wichita and $64,813 in Houston, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Wichita rent at $975/month is still below Houston's $1,361, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 70°F in Houston and 61°F in Wichita.
If housing cost drives your move, Wichita is the stronger match ($975/month rent against $1,361). If an employer or family tie already points to Houston, treat $1,361/month rent and $64,813 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Houston and Wichita, plus other cities in TX and KS.
