Median rent is 1% lower in Springfield ($964/mo vs $975/mo). Buying is cheaper in Springfield, where the median home runs $177,700 versus $190,800. Households earn more in Wichita ($64,620 vs $49,311 a year). Taken together, Wichita is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 89.4 against 90.1 — about 1% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Wichita, KS.
Cost of living verdict
Wichita is 1% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 89.4 in Wichita vs 90.1 in Springfield (US national average = 100)
City A
Springfield, MO
City B
Wichita, KS
How much would you need to earn in Wichita, KS to maintain your standard of living from Springfield, MO?
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$74,442
You could earn $558 less (1% 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
Springfield
Missouri
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
Median rents are similar in both cities: $964/mo in Springfield and $975/mo in Wichita. Median home values are within 7% of each other: $177,700 in Springfield and $190,800 in Wichita.
Metric
Springfield
Wichita
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Springfield
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 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Wichita if you prioritize higher median household income ($64,620/yr).
Pick Wichita if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Wichita is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 89.4 versus 90.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Wichita.
Median rent is $964/mo in Springfield, MO and $975/mo in Wichita, KS. Springfield, MO has the lower rent by about 1%.
Median household income is $49,311 in Springfield, MO and $64,620 in Wichita, KS. Wichita, KS has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Wichita, KS has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Springfield, MO is equivalent to roughly $99,256 in Wichita, KS (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
