City comparison
No. Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 326 in Wichita, and its violent crime index is 147 versus 353, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Wichita is cheaper. Median rent is $975 a month versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Safety is where Wichita and Pittsburgh split most clearly. Pittsburgh scores 168 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 $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Wichita costs less and Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh are 948 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $975 a month in Wichita to $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh, up $286 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $64,620 in Wichita to $65,742 in Pittsburgh, up $1,122 (2%).
The crime index goes from 326 in Wichita to 158 in Pittsburgh, down 168 points (52%).
The move
Pittsburgh and Wichita are 948 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,261 a month in Pittsburgh to $975 a month in Wichita, down $286 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $65,742 in Pittsburgh to $64,620 in Wichita, down $1,122 (2%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Pittsburgh to 326 in Wichita, up 168 points (106%).
Wichita, KS
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Pittsburgh, PA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Wichita and Pittsburgh? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Wichita rent is 23% cheaper than Pittsburgh
Wichita
Winner$975/mo
Pittsburgh
$1,261/mo
Typical rent runs $975 a month in Wichita versus $1,261 in Pittsburgh, so Wichita is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $286/month back in your pocket ($3,432/year). Over five years that's $17,160 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 Pittsburgh, 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
2% higher
Pittsburgh's median income is 2% higher than Wichita
Wichita
$64,620
Pittsburgh
Winner$65,742
Median household income is $65,742 in Pittsburgh versus $64,620 in Wichita, so typical pay runs 2% higher in Pittsburgh (about $1,122 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
52% lower crime
Pittsburgh's crime index is 52% lower than Wichita
Wichita
326 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh
Winner158 (100 = avg)
Pittsburgh's crime index is 158 versus 326 in Wichita (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 52% lower in Pittsburgh. 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, Pittsburgh 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
46% more comfortable
Wichita weather is 46% more comfortable than Pittsburgh
Wichita
Winner61°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 89/100
Pittsburgh
51°F avg · 58°F highs · comfort 61/100
Wichita averages about 61°F (69°F highs); Pittsburgh averages about 51°F (58°F highs). Wichita averages around 61°F. Pittsburgh averages around 51°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Wichita scores 46% 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 Pittsburgh 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 23% 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 Pittsburgh on this page's weather index by 46%. Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 2% higher here ($65,742). Start with Pittsburgh if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Pittsburgh is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 52% lower than Wichita (158 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 Pittsburgh leads on safety (46/100 vs 24/100 in Wichita). Typical rent is $1,261 in Pittsburgh and $975 in Wichita; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
Safety still diverges (46/100 in Pittsburgh vs 24/100 in Wichita), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Typical rent stays $975 in Wichita and $1,261 in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh is ahead on safety (46/100 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.
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