City comparison
Yes. San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 156 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between San Francisco and Wichita is significant: $140,970 median household versus $64,620. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $975 in Wichita.
San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco and Wichita are 1,366 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $975 a month in Wichita, down $1,501 a month (61%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $64,620 in Wichita, down $76,350 (54%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 326 in Wichita, up 143 points (78%).
The move
Wichita and San Francisco are 1,366 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,501 a month (154%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $76,350 (118%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 183 in San Francisco, down 143 points (44%).
San Francisco, 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 San Francisco and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
61% cheaper
Wichita rent is 61% cheaper than San Francisco
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Wichita is 61% cheaper. That's roughly $1,501/month back in your pocket ($18,012/year). Over five years that's $90,060 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 Francisco, 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 Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
118% higher
San Francisco's median income is 118% higher than Wichita
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 118% higher in San Francisco (about $76,350 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, San Francisco 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
44% lower crime
San Francisco's crime index is 44% lower than Wichita
San Francisco
Winner183 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
San Francisco's crime index is 183 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in San Francisco. 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 Francisco 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 Francisco weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
San Francisco
Winner65°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
San Francisco averages about 65°F (73°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). San Francisco sits near 65°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. San Francisco 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 118% higher ($140,970), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 65°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
San Francisco is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Wichita (183 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 61% 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
San Francisco runs $2,476/month while Wichita sits at $975 — roughly 61% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Francisco-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Wichita rent at $975/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 42/100 in San Francisco and 24/100 in Wichita.
Between San Francisco and Wichita, Wichita is ahead on housing cost — $975/month rent against $2,476. Lean San Francisco instead when your $140,970 income offer in San Francisco outweighs saving $1,501/month in Wichita.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for San Francisco and Wichita, plus other cities in CA and KS.
