Median rent is 26% lower in Wichita ($975/mo vs $1,324/mo). Buying is cheaper in Wichita, where the median home runs $190,800 versus $235,700. Households earn more in San Antonio ($65,056 vs $64,620 a year). Taken together, Wichita is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 94.3 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Wichita, KS.
Cost of living verdict
Wichita is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Wichita vs 94.3 in San Antonio (US national average = 100)
City A
San Antonio, TX
City B
Wichita, KS
How much would you need to earn in Wichita, KS to maintain your standard of living from San Antonio, TX?
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$71,098
You could earn $3,902 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
San Antonio
Texas
Wichita
Kansas
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Wichita — median rent of $975/mo versus $1,324/mo in San Antonio, a 26% difference. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $235,700 in San Antonio and $190,800 in Wichita.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
San Antonio
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Wichita
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Wichita has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 71.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Wichita if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 89.4 vs 94.3).
Pick Wichita if you prioritize cheaper rent ($975/mo median).
Pick Wichita if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Is San Antonio cheaper than Wichita?
Wichita is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 94.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Wichita.
How much is rent in San Antonio vs Wichita?
Median rent is $1,324/mo in San Antonio, TX and $975/mo in Wichita, KS. Wichita, KS has the lower rent by about 26%.
Which has higher salaries — San Antonio or Wichita?
Median household income is $65,056 in San Antonio, TX and $64,620 in Wichita, KS. San Antonio, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Wichita, KS has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 71.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — San Antonio or Wichita?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Wichita to match my San Antonio income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in San Antonio, TX is equivalent to roughly $94,798 in Wichita, KS (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
