Wichita, KS is home to approximately 396,745 people.
It has been the topic of interest for top locations to live in for many years.
It is known for the excellent quality of life it provides residents who are living here.
Wichita is a town full of sports arenas, museums, theaters, and plenty of others.
While Wichita has many great things to offer, there are also several downsides to living here.
This guide will provide you with the pros and cons of living in Wichita, KS if you’re considering relocating to this wonderful town.
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Pros of Living in Wichita, Kansas
Let’s start with a list of pros of living in Wichita, KS.
1. Thriving Economy
Wichita’s economy is vibrant.
There are several industries that make up the economy in Wichita, including manufacturing, healthcare, automotive, and aerospace.
The unemployment rate in Wichita is only 3%, which is much less compared to the national average.
Some of the largest employers in the city are Via Christi Health, Cessna Aircraft Co., AeroSystems, Unified School District 259, Koch Industries, McConnell Air Force Base, and the State of Kansas.
2. High-Quality Education
The education system in Wichita is above average.
There are several great schools in Wichita, including St. Marks, Andover Middle School, Colwich Elementary School, Andover Central Middle School, and Discovery Intermediate School.
Furthermore, there are various colleges in town that are considered well above average.
Some of these schools are Friends University, Vatterott College Wichita, Region Technical College, Newman University, and National American University Wichita.
3. Affordable Housing
Wichita has some of the lowest housing costs.
The median cost of a home in Wichita is $183,000.
The average rent paid in the city is $850, which is relatively low.
If you’re looking for some of the best neighborhoods in town, consider Southwind, Sleepy Hollow, Rockhurst, North Newton, and College Hill.
Furthermore, the city is in charge of building new roads and wires for homes.
This means that as a homeowner, you will only pay a fixed amount to the city in addition to interest over the next 10–20 years.
4. Great Attractions
If you love having fun, Wichita has several places to check out.
Wichita is home to about 30 museums, eight shopping centers, many theaters, and several festivals that take place throughout the year.
Additionally, you can check out Botanica Wichita during the spring and summer months, when they house more than a thousand tulips and daffodils.
They also have various gardens to explore, including the Downing Children’s Gardens and the Butterfly Pansy House.
5. Nice Art Scene
Wichita celebrates art every first Friday of the month.
This is when some of the best galleries around put their art on display.
One of the most known festivals in Wichita is Fall & Art, which takes place every September.
You can see work by some of the best artists around, including Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt, and Dale Chihuly, at the Wichita Art Museum.
Furthermore, the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University has over 6,000 pieces of art on display and is free to the public.
6. Excellent Food
Wichita is also well-known for its excellent culinary scene.
There are over 1,000 restaurants located in the city of Wichita.
More recently, there has been an advancement in table options compared to farm options.
Some of the most frequently visited restaurants in Wichita include Sabor Latin Bar & Grill, Kobe Steak House of Japan, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, and Doo-Dah Diner.
7. Nice Public Transit System
If you plan on relying on public transportation, you’ll be glad to know that the public transit system in Wichita is satisfactory.
If you are located close to the city, it’s possible to not even need a vehicle to travel around town.
This can be a huge advantage for those looking to save some extra money every month.
Furthermore, the fewer vehicles on the street, the better it is for the environment.
8. People Are Friendly
Another perk of living in Wichita is that the majority of people living here are friendly and easily approachable.
If you consider yourself a social butterfly, you’ll fit right in.
This is another huge plus for those looking to meet new friends.
In Wichita, you can count on making new friends pretty quickly.
The people that you meet can possibly become a huge part of your life for many years to come.
Cons of Living in Wichita, Kansas
Now let’s discuss some of the disadvantages of living in Wichita, KS.
1. Harsh Weather
The weather can be really amazing in Wichita.
This is, of course, because the city sees all four seasons.
However, the wind can be a real pain in Wichita.
Besides the wind, Wichita’s tornado season is during the spring and summer months.
The summer can bring unbearable heat.
And the winters can bring a lot of snowy conditions and frigid temperatures.
It may take some getting adjusted to if you aren’t used to experiencing all four seasons equally.
2. High Crime Rate
Surprisingly, Wichita has a higher-than-average crime rate.
This may sound pretty disturbing to residents looking to move here.
Also, many of the current residents no longer feel safe in their own neighborhoods.
The crime rate in Wichita is 48.4 compared to the country’s average of 22.7.
The property crime rate of 73.6 is also higher than the national average, which is 35.4.
If you have children or plan on having children, you may want to reconsider moving here if your main priority is safety.
3. Limited Nightlife
If you enjoy a good nightlife scene, you will find that there are very limited options in Wichita.
Wichita’s nightlife scene only consists of a few bars and clubs.
There aren’t as many options compared to bigger cities such as Chicago or New York City.
So, if having a good nightlife matters to you, Wichita may not be ideal for you.
4. Poor Air Quality
Wichita has poor air quality, making this yet another downside of living here.
Living in an area with consistently poor air quality can have a negative impact on your overall quality of life.
Additionally, it can result in some pretty severe health issues in the future.
This is especially true if you are a current sufferer of any underlying respiratory health conditions.
5. Low Income Levels
The average income levels in Wichita are low, much lower than the national average.
So, what does this mean for you?
Well, if you’re considering moving to Wichita to find a job that pays an excellent salary, you will be highly disappointed.
It’s challenging to make good money in Wichita compared to other cities, such as New York City.
The average salary in Wichita is $59,151. The average hourly rate is $28 an hour.
6. Lacks Industry Diversity
Wichita’s economy is diverse.
However, when it comes to job opportunities, the industries here just aren’t as diverse.
For example, Wichita doesn’t have a strong finance or tech industry compared to other industries.
This means that you may have difficulty finding employment if your industry is lacking.
The cities’ leading industries are healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and aerospace.
7. Doesn’t Have Many Professional Sports Teams
Even though Wichita is a large city, they don’t have any major league sports teams such as hockey, football, baseball, or basketball.
However, Wichita does have college sports teams, but many locals feel that’s not enough to take the place of professional teams.
There are semi-professional and minor-league teams present in Wichita.
Many residents also feel that the lack of professional sports teams impacts the economic growth of the city.
8. Low Bike/Walk Score
The town of Wichita has a low biking and walking score.
This may make it difficult for people to get around, especially if they don’t have a vehicle.
Certain parts of Wichita are bike-friendly.
However, the majority of towns do not have any bike lanes or sidewalks, making it dangerous to travel by bike or foot.
If you prefer to use biking or walking as your primary transportation method, you may want to reconsider moving to Wichita.
Pros and Cons of Living in Wichita, KS – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Wichita, Kansas | Cons of Living in Wichita, Kansas |
|---|---|
| 1. Thriving Economy | 1. Harsh Weather |
| 2. High-Quality Education | 2. High Crime Rate |
| 3. Affordable Housing | 3. Limited Nightlife |
| 4. Great Attractions | 4. Poor Air Quality |
| 5. Nice Art Scene | 5. Low Income Levels |
| 6. Excellent Food | 6. Lacks Industry Diversity |
| 7. Nice Public Transit System | 7. Doesn’t Have Many Professional Sports Teams |
| 8. People Are Friendly | 8. Low Bike/Walk Score |
Wichita Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Wichita Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wichita, KS, a good place to live for families?
Wichita, KS, is a great place for those looking for a new location to raise children and take care of their families.
In fact, it’s considered one of the best cities in the entire state of Kansas to live in.
It provides people living here with a dense suburban feel.
The majority of people living in Wichita are homeowners.
There are plenty of parks and coffee shops around town.
Additionally, there are many young professionals and families living in Wichita.
Is Wichita, KS, considered a diverse town?
The overall racial makeup of Wichita, KS is white (71.9%), black (11.5%), Asian (4.8%), and American Indian (1.2%).
Hispanics and Latinos make up 10.5% of the population of Wichita.
In 2021 alone, there were six times more whites living in Wichita than any other race.
What is Wichita, KS known for?
There are several things that Wichita is known for.
To start, the town of Wichita is known as the “Air Capital of the World.”
It is also where both White Castle and Pizza Hut were founded.
It’s a city that is centered around entrepreneurship.
What are some kid-friendly attractions in Wichita?
There are a number of things to do with kids in Wichita, including:
- Sedgwick County Zoo
- The Keeper of the Plains
- Old Cowtown Museum
- Museum of World Treasures
- Arkansas River Trail
- Veterans’ Memorial Park
Is Wichita a big town?
Wichita is a large city.
It’s also known as the largest city in Kansas.
Additionally, Wichita is the 48th largest city in the entire country.
The population in the metropolitan area of Wichita is 650,000.
Wichita, KS is a vibrant city with a thriving economy, high-quality education, affordable housing, great attractions, a nice art scene, excellent food, and friendly people, but it also has harsh weather, a high crime rate, limited nightlife, poor air quality, low income levels, a lack of industry diversity, few professional sports teams, and a low bike/walk score.