City comparison
Yes. Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 128 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,572 in Raleigh.
Safety is where Raleigh and Wichita split most clearly. Raleigh scores 184 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,572 in Raleigh and $975 in Wichita.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita costs less and Raleigh 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
Raleigh and Wichita are 1,042 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,572 a month in Raleigh to $975 a month in Wichita, down $597 a month (38%).
Median household income goes from $85,395 in Raleigh to $64,620 in Wichita, down $20,775 (24%).
The crime index goes from 142 in Raleigh to 326 in Wichita, up 184 points (130%).
The move
Wichita and Raleigh are 1,042 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,572 a month in Raleigh, up $597 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $85,395 in Raleigh, up $20,775 (32%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 142 in Raleigh, down 184 points (56%).
Raleigh, NC
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 Raleigh and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
38% cheaper
Wichita rent is 38% cheaper than Raleigh
Raleigh
$1,572/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,572 in Raleigh, so Wichita is 38% cheaper. That's roughly $597/month back in your pocket ($7,164/year). Over five years that's $35,820 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 Raleigh, 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
32% higher
Raleigh's median income is 32% higher than Wichita
Raleigh
Winner$85,395
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Raleigh (about $20,775 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, Raleigh 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
56% lower crime
Raleigh's crime index is 56% lower than Wichita
Raleigh
Winner142 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Raleigh's crime index is 142 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 56% lower in Raleigh. 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, Raleigh 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
Wichita weather is 3% more comfortable than Raleigh
Raleigh
60°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 86/100
Wichita
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Raleigh averages about 60°F (69°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Raleigh averages around 60°F. Wichita averages around 61°F. Wichita 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 Raleigh 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
Raleigh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 32% higher here ($85,395). Start with Raleigh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Raleigh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 56% lower than Wichita (142 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 38% 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 Raleigh on this page's weather index by 3%. Raleigh 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 Raleigh leads on safety (49/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,572 in Raleigh and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Raleigh still pays more locally ($85,395 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Raleigh rates.
Median income is $85,395 in Raleigh versus $64,620 in Wichita.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Raleigh; Wichita only makes sense when you have walked the Wichita ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $975 rent.
Common questions
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