City comparison
Yes. Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 252 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia.
The cost gap between Philadelphia and Wichita is the real story here. Wichita comes in 30% cheaper on typical rent ($1,397 vs $975), which over a year adds up to $5,064. Median household income runs $61,953 in Philadelphia and $64,620 in Wichita.
Wichita is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, the job market, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Philadelphia makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Wichita 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
Philadelphia and Wichita are 1,201 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,397 a month in Philadelphia to $975 a month in Wichita, down $422 a month (30%).
Median household income goes from $61,953 in Philadelphia to $64,620 in Wichita, up $2,667 (4%).
The crime index goes from 261 in Philadelphia to 326 in Wichita, up 65 points (25%).
The move
Wichita and Philadelphia are 1,201 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,397 a month in Philadelphia, up $422 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $61,953 in Philadelphia, down $2,667 (4%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 261 in Philadelphia, down 65 points (20%).
Philadelphia, PA
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 Philadelphia and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
30% cheaper
Wichita rent is 30% cheaper than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$1,397/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,397 in Philadelphia, so Wichita is 30% cheaper. That's roughly $422/month back in your pocket ($5,064/year). Over five years that's $25,320 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 Philadelphia, 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
4% higher
Wichita's median income is 4% higher than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
$61,953
Wichita
Winner$64,620
Median household income is $64,620 in Wichita versus $61,953 in Philadelphia, so typical pay runs 4% higher in Wichita (about $2,667 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
20% lower crime
Philadelphia's crime index is 20% lower than Wichita
Philadelphia
Winner261 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Philadelphia's crime index is 261 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 20% lower in Philadelphia. 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, Philadelphia 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
29% more comfortable
Wichita weather is 29% more comfortable than Philadelphia
Philadelphia
54°F avg · 61°F highs · comfort 69/100
Wichita
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Philadelphia averages about 54°F (61°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Philadelphia averages around 54°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Wichita averages around 61°F. Wichita scores 29% 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 Philadelphia if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Philadelphia is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 20% lower than Wichita (261 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
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
Wichita is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 30% 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.
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 4% higher ($64,620), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 61°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Wichita at $975/month versus $1,397 in Philadelphia ($422 apart). Philadelphia median income is $61,953 against $64,620 in Wichita, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Weather averages land near 54°F in Philadelphia and 61°F in Wichita.
If housing cost drives your move, Wichita is the stronger match ($975/month rent against $1,397). If an employer or family tie already points to Philadelphia, treat $1,397/month rent and $61,953 income as the numbers that actually govern the decision.
Safety scores read 31/100 in Philadelphia and 24/100 in Wichita.
Common questions
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