City comparison
No. Orlando's crime index is 242 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 241 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data for Wichita and 2022 FBI data for Orlando.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,747 in Orlando.
The cost gap between Wichita and Orlando is the real story here. Wichita comes in 44% cheaper on typical rent ($975 vs $1,747), which over a year adds up to $9,264. Median household income runs $64,620 in Wichita and $72,336 in Orlando.
Orlando 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 Orlando 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
Wichita and Orlando are 1,117 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,747 a month in Orlando, up $772 a month (79%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $72,336 in Orlando, up $7,716 (12%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 242 in Orlando, down 84 points (26%).
The move
Orlando and Wichita are 1,117 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,747 a month in Orlando to $975 a month in Wichita, down $772 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $72,336 in Orlando to $64,620 in Wichita, down $7,716 (11%).
The crime index goes from 242 in Orlando to 326 in Wichita, up 84 points (35%).
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Orlando, FL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Wichita and Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
44% cheaper
Wichita rent is 44% cheaper than Orlando
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Orlando
$1,747/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,747 in Orlando, so Wichita is 44% cheaper. That's roughly $772/month back in your pocket ($9,264/year). Over five years that's $46,320 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 Orlando, 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 Orlando? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Orlando's median income is 12% higher than Wichita
Wichita
$64,620
Orlando
Winner$72,336
Median household income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Orlando (about $7,716 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, Orlando 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
26% lower crime
Orlando's crime index is 26% lower than Wichita
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Orlando
Winner242 (100 = avg)
Orlando's crime index is 242 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 26% lower in Orlando. 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, Orlando 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
Orlando weather is 12% more comfortable than Wichita
Wichita
61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Orlando
Winner71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Orlando averages about 71°F (77°F highs). Wichita averages around 61°F. Orlando sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Orlando 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
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 44% 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.
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 12% higher ($72,336), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 71°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Orlando is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 26% lower than Wichita (242 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
On rent alone, Wichita undercuts Orlando by $772/month ($975 vs $1,747). I would not pick Orlando on housing cost without a job that clears that spread.
Wichita rent at $975/month is still below Orlando's $1,747, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $72,336 in Orlando versus $64,620 in Wichita.
Most movers who prioritize housing cost land in Wichita; Orlando only makes sense when your offer letter is already written for Orlando at $72,336 income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Wichita and Orlando, plus other cities in KS and FL.
