City comparison
No. Wichita's crime index is 326 versus 434 in Oakland, and its violent crime index is 353 versus 491, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,979 in Oakland.
The income gap between Oakland and Wichita is significant: $101,600 median household versus $64,620. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,979 in Oakland and $975 in Wichita.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita costs less and Oakland 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
Oakland and Wichita are 1,358 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,979 a month in Oakland to $975 a month in Wichita, down $1,004 a month (51%).
Median household income goes from $101,600 in Oakland to $64,620 in Wichita, down $36,980 (36%).
The crime index goes from 434 in Oakland to 326 in Wichita, down 108 points (25%).
The move
Wichita and Oakland are 1,358 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,979 a month in Oakland, up $1,004 a month (103%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $101,600 in Oakland, up $36,980 (57%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 434 in Oakland, up 108 points (33%).
Oakland, CA
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 Oakland and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
51% cheaper
Wichita rent is 51% cheaper than Oakland
Oakland
$1,979/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,979 in Oakland, so Wichita is 51% cheaper. That's roughly $1,004/month back in your pocket ($12,048/year). Over five years that's $60,240 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 Oakland, 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
57% higher
Oakland's median income is 57% higher than Wichita
Oakland
Winner$101,600
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $101,600 in Oakland versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 57% higher in Oakland (about $36,980 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, Oakland 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
25% lower crime
Wichita's crime index is 25% lower than Oakland
Oakland
434 (100 = avg)
Wichita
Winner326 (100 = avg)
Wichita's crime index is 326 versus 434 in Oakland (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 25% lower in Wichita. 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, Wichita is the easier city. Oakland can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
12% more comfortable
Oakland weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
Oakland
Winner68°F avg · 80°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Oakland averages about 68°F (80°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Oakland sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. Oakland 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 57% higher ($101,600), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 51% 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.
Wichita is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 25% lower than Oakland (326 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.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Wichita at $975/month versus $1,979 in Oakland ($1,004 apart). Oakland median income is $101,600 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 Oakland's $1,979, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 15/100 in Oakland and 24/100 in Wichita.
Pick Wichita when shaving $1,004 off rent at $975/month is the priority. Otherwise, Oakland's case rests on $1,979/month rent with $101,600 local income.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Oakland and Wichita, plus other cities in CA and KS.
