City comparison
Yes. Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 112 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,701 in Tampa.
Safety is where Tampa and Wichita split most clearly. Tampa scores 233 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,701 in Tampa and $975 in Wichita.
Tampa 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 Tampa 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
Tampa and Wichita are 1,093 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,701 a month in Tampa to $975 a month in Wichita, down $726 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $75,475 in Tampa to $64,620 in Wichita, down $10,855 (14%).
The crime index goes from 93 in Tampa to 326 in Wichita, up 233 points (251%).
The move
Wichita and Tampa are 1,093 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,701 a month in Tampa, up $726 a month (74%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $75,475 in Tampa, up $10,855 (17%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 93 in Tampa, down 233 points (71%).
Tampa, FL
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 Tampa and Wichita? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Wichita rent is 43% cheaper than Tampa
Tampa
$1,701/mo
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,701 in Tampa, so Wichita is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $726/month back in your pocket ($8,712/year). Over five years that's $43,560 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
17% higher
Tampa's median income is 17% higher than Wichita
Tampa
Winner$75,475
Wichita
$64,620
Median household income is $75,475 in Tampa versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 17% higher in Tampa (about $10,855 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, Tampa 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
71% lower crime
Tampa's crime index is 71% lower than Wichita
Tampa
Winner93 (100 = avg)
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Tampa's crime index is 93 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 71% lower in Tampa. 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, Tampa 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
Tampa weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
Tampa
Winner75°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Tampa averages about 75°F (83°F highs); Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs). Tampa sits near 75°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Wichita averages around 61°F. Tampa 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 17% higher ($75,475), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 75°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Tampa is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 71% lower than Wichita (93 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 43% 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 Tampa leads on safety (62/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,701 in Tampa and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Tampa still pays more locally ($75,475 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Tampa rates.
Weather averages land near 75°F in Tampa and 61°F in Wichita.
Tampa is ahead on safety (62/100 vs 24/100); Wichita is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $975/month rent plus $64,620 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.
Common questions
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Tampa and Wichita, plus other cities in FL and KS.
