City comparison
Yes. San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 164 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,324 in San Antonio.
Safety is where San Antonio and Wichita split most clearly. San Antonio scores 114 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,324 in San Antonio and $975 in Wichita.
San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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
San Antonio and Wichita are 575 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,324 a month in San Antonio to $975 a month in Wichita, down $349 a month (26%).
Median household income goes from $65,056 in San Antonio to $64,620 in Wichita, down $436 (1%).
The crime index goes from 212 in San Antonio to 326 in Wichita, up 114 points (54%).
The move
Wichita and San Antonio are 575 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,324 a month in San Antonio, up $349 a month (36%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $65,056 in San Antonio, up $436 (1%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 212 in San Antonio, down 114 points (35%).
San Antonio, 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 San Antonio and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
26% cheaper
Wichita rent is 26% cheaper than San Antonio
San Antonio
$1,324/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,324 in San Antonio, so Wichita is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $349/month back in your pocket ($4,188/year). Over five years that's $20,940 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 San Antonio, 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 San Antonio? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
San Antonio's median income is 1% higher than Wichita
San Antonio
Winner$65,056
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $65,056 in San Antonio versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 1% higher in San Antonio (about $436 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
35% lower crime
San Antonio's crime index is 35% lower than Wichita
San Antonio
Winner212 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
San Antonio's crime index is 212 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 35% lower in San Antonio. 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, San Antonio 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
San Antonio weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
San Antonio
Winner68°F avg · 76°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
San Antonio averages about 68°F (76°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). San Antonio sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. San Antonio 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 ($65,056), 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.
San Antonio is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 35% lower than Wichita (212 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 26% 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
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but San Antonio leads on safety (37/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,324 in San Antonio and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
San Antonio still pays more locally ($65,056 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays San Antonio rates.
Weather averages land near 68°F in San Antonio and 61°F in Wichita.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in San Antonio; 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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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Antonio and Wichita, plus other cities in TX and KS.
