City comparison
No. Madison's crime index is 91 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 68 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,413 in Madison.
Safety is where Wichita and Madison split most clearly. Madison scores 235 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $975 in Wichita and $1,413 in Madison.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita costs less and Madison 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
Wichita and Madison are 559 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,413 a month in Madison, up $438 a month (45%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $78,050 in Madison, up $13,430 (21%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 91 in Madison, down 235 points (72%).
The move
Madison and Wichita are 559 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,413 a month in Madison to $975 a month in Wichita, down $438 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $78,050 in Madison to $64,620 in Wichita, down $13,430 (17%).
The crime index goes from 91 in Madison to 326 in Wichita, up 235 points (258%).
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Madison, WI
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Wichita and Madison? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Wichita rent is 31% cheaper than Madison
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Madison
$1,413/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,413 in Madison, so Wichita is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $438/month back in your pocket ($5,256/year). Over five years that's $26,280 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 Madison, 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
21% higher
Madison's median income is 21% higher than Wichita
Wichita
$64,620
Madison
Winner$78,050
Median household income is $78,050 in Madison versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 21% higher in Madison (about $13,430 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, Madison 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
72% lower crime
Madison's crime index is 72% lower than Wichita
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Madison
Winner91 (100 = avg)
Madison's crime index is 91 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 72% lower in Madison. 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, Madison 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
71% more comfortable
Wichita weather is 71% more comfortable than Madison
Wichita
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Madison
48°F avg · 57°F highs · comfort 52/100
Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Madison averages about 48°F (57°F highs). Wichita averages around 61°F. Madison averages around 48°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Wichita scores 71% 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 Madison if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
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 31% 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 Madison on this page's weather index by 71%. Madison may pay more or cost less, but Wichita is the city where the forecast fights you less.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Madison is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 21% higher here ($78,050). Start with Madison if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Madison is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 72% lower than Wichita (91 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.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Madison leads on safety (63/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,413 in Madison and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Madison still pays more locally ($78,050 median income vs $64,620), which can offset the lease if your field pays Madison rates.
Weather averages land near 61°F in Wichita and 48°F in Madison.
Madison is ahead on safety (63/100 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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