What’s Up with Wichita?
A Midwestern city with a Western twist, Wichita is a historic cattle town that’s grown into one of the country’s most livable and desirable places in the region. Surrounded by the fruitful rolling hills of the tallgrass prairie, Wichita has long been an incubator of innovation, giving rise to some of the most pioneering advances in aviation history through companies like Cessna and Spirit AeroSystems. But aerospace manufacturing isn’t Wichita’s only standout industry. The city’s economic infrastructure has long been driven by powerhouse companies from Koch Industries to Cargill, and institutions like McConnell Air Force Base and Wichita State University bolster it further. Wichita’s low cost of living has made it an attractive place for young families to put down roots, and its tight-knit community provides a welcome environment for every state of life.
If you are looking for an affordable, down-to-earth city with diverse career opportunities in a stable job market, Wichita should be on your list. Learn more about the city below in our moving guide, where we’ll discuss in greater detail the history of the city, the job and housing markets, fun neighborhoods and things to do. Read on to discover what it’s like living in Wichita.
A Brief History of Wichita
While the history of Wichita began long before the modern city’s founding in 1864, this Kansas cattle town was always a home for bovines, whether for bison or grazing steer along the Chisolm Trail. Visitors can take in some of this Wild West spirit at attractions like the Old Cowtown Museum, which makes history come to life in an expansive recreation of 19th-century Wichita. A stroll down these dirt roads will take you from a trapper’s cabin to a barber shop, blacksmith shop, general store and even a theater. The Nomadic Indigenous Trading Camp and the Cowboy Cattle Drive Camp give visitors an idea of the competing interests and economies of the time. These weighty topics can be explored in greater depth at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum and other local institutions.
But what is Wichita known for these days? Well, the cattle trade and railways gave way early to aviation, which became a primary industry in the city more than one hundred years ago. Cessna and Beechcraft were both founded in Wichita, and Spirit AeroSystems moved there in the late 20s from California. Today, Kansas produces more than 1/3 of all U.S.-made aircraft, making this city one that lives up to its moniker as the Air Capital of the World. These commercial entities are bolstered by the presence of McConnell Air Force Base, which has been in operation here since 1929.
Wichita, Kansas Quick Facts
Wichita’s 401,000 residents make it the largest city in Kansas, but its metro area is only the second largest in the Sunflower state. That’s because the bi-state region of ever-sprawling Kansas City has more than 2.2 million people, roughly four times more than the greater Wichita area.
So, where is Wichita? This popular Midwestern hub is in Sedgwick County in south-central Kansas. Ideally positioned at the confluence of major waterways and roadways, both the Arkansas and the Little Arkansas rivers converge in Wichita, as do interstates 35, 135 and 235. These natural and manufactured thoroughfares have made Wichita a prime spot for transportation and commerce.
Want to know some other Wichita, Kansas, facts? This city takes its name from one of the Indigenous tribes in the region, the Wichita — meaning either “scattered houses” or “tattooed faces,” after the Wichita’s practice of adorning their bodies in elaborate inkings. The affiliated tribes of the Wichita call themselves the Kitikiti’sh, which includes members of the Kichai, Taovaya, Tawakoni and Waco tribes as well. The modern city of Wichita got its early start as a trade depot between Spanish and French colonists in the region.
One thing all inhabitants of Wichita were missing prior to 1958 was a decent slice of pizza. But in that year, two students at Wichita State University corrected that problem when they founded Pizza Hut. You can get the full story of their invention, from humble pie to big cheese, at the Pizza Hut Museum on WSU’s campus.
Why Move to Wichita? Some Pros
Affordable Cost of Living
Because this city is the biggest in the state of Kansas, you might assume that the cost of living in Wichita would be high. So, for those of you wondering, Is Wichita expensive? We’re happy to report that in this Kansas town, you can expect prices well below the American average.
Even by Midwest standards, Wichita is an inexpensive city to live. First, real estate values in this south-central Kansas city are 40% less than the national median. The median home value in Wichita is just $179,500 compared to the U.S. median of $303,400.
But it’s not just homeowners that will benefit from Wichita housing prices. Renters spend an average of only $960/month on housing, compared to $1,348 nationally. Certainly, young families and individuals looking to save big will find it easier to live in Wichita than in higher-priced metros elsewhere.
Growing Local Economy
If you’re moving to this Midwestern city for your career, you’ll want to take a closer look at both the type of job options that may be available to you and the stability of the labor force.
There are currently more than 315,000 individuals working in Wichita’s nonfarm labor market across a diverse array of industries. Unemployment rates have ranged between 3.7% in December 2024 to 4.0% in May 2025, comparable with national trends. Certifying Wichita’s financial promise, the Milken Institute has named Wichita one of 2025’s 50 best-performing cities for economic growth, citing a 4% increase in jobs between 2018 and 2023.
As a major aviation and military hub, the Wichita economy isn’t dominated by just one or two industries — it has a more robust portfolio of strengths. The city’s trifecta is formed by trade, transportation and utilities, manufacturing, and education and healthcare, each of which supports more than 50,000 jobs. Major employers in Wichita include Spirit AeroSystems, McConnell Air Force Base, Koch Industries, Wichita State University, Ascension Via Christi Health and Cargill Protein, which opened its $60 million headquarters downtown in 2018.
Solid, Affordable Living
Whether you’re planning on renting or buying, you’ll find that Wichita’s cost of living offers considerable savings, even compared to some of its closest neighbors. While the median home value in Wichita averaged $179,500 between 2019 and 2023, prices in Lawrence approached $270,000 and those in Overland Park — a popular suburb of Kansas City — crested the $380,000 mark. For comparison, the state average is $203,400 and the national average is $303,400.
Rent in Wichita (median: $960/month) is comparable to prices in Topeka, where home values are $50,000 less, but Wichita rents are nearly $100/month lower than those in Lawrence and Kansas City and $500/month lower than those in Overland Park.
But housing costs are just one financial factor to consider if you’re planning to move to Wichita. How much would you need to earn to live in Wichita? Well, according to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, an individual without children would need a minimum of $41,156 in pre-tax earnings to afford the basics:
- Food: $4,143
- Medical: $3,582
- Housing: $8,300
- Transportation: $10,116
- Civic: $3,126
- Internet/Mobile: $1,433
- Miscellaneous: $4,112
- Taxes: $6,343
According to the U.S. Census, the median household income in Wichita is $63,072 and the per capita income is $35,958, making it difficult for some to make ends meet.
Strong Sense of Community
Like many Kansans, people from Wichita have a reputation as down-to-earth, civic-minded folk whose politeness and warmth distinguish them from the more detached vibes that big-city-dwellers sometimes exude. But Wichita residents aren’t all cut from the same cloth, and the city is big enough to contain multitudes. From the lively, youthful districts around Wichita State, to historic charmers like College Hill, where Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House is located, and artsy up-and-comers like the Douglas Design District, you’ll have plenty of Wichita neighborhoods to choose from when it comes time to move.
Neighborhoods in East Wichita tend to give better proximity to downtown attractions and events, but homes can also be pricier here. West Wichita tends to have fewer historic homes, but the prices can be more affordable, especially closer to town. The city is surrounded by suburbs on all sides, from Rockhurst to Westlink, so if you’re looking for more space, you’ll be able to find a spot within easy driving distance of the downtown core.
Culturally Distinct and Proud
One of the best parts of living in the Sunflower State’s biggest city is the confluence of culture. The city’s Indigenous history converges with its legacy in transportation, aviation and agriculture, creating a unique urban identity. Part Western, part Midwestern and — in many ways — all-American, the culture of Wichita is reflected in its museums, its citizens and the fabric of city life.
Co-founded by Kiowa/Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin, the Mid-America All-Indian Museum has a stunning collection of 3,000 works by American Indian artists from across the U.S. The Great Plains Transportation Museum has an irresistible collection of railroad equipment and trains, including two Sante Fe passenger locomotives. The Kansas Aviation Museum is, perhaps, even more exciting, with its vintage aircraft and 1940 air traffic control center — the very first to have been built with slanted windows. In Wichita’s historic Calvary Baptist Church, you’ll find the Kansas African American Museum, which reflects on the multifarious Black experience in the region.
A Slower Pace of Life
Wichita occupies something of a Goldilocks zone of city living. There are plenty of family-friendly things to do, and it feels manageable to do all of them, whether it’s seeing a touring Broadway production, visiting an art gallery or shopping for fresh, local produce. Traffic isn’t terrible, and the city is never overrun with tourists. While this Kansas town may not have a reputation for radical style and culture, living in Wichita means ditching the frenetic hustle of big-city life without sacrificing all the cosmopolitan amenities.
Practicalities (and Drawbacks) of Living in Wichita
The Need to Have a Vehicle
There’s no question that Wichita is still a car-dependent city. Public transportation is limited to infrequent bus service, so 90% of Wichita commuting is by car. The average hybrid or on-site worker spends only 18.9 – 19.9 minutes on each leg of their daily commute.
So, how much does driving in Wichita cost them? Well, according to Business Insider (BI), more than a pretty penny. Factoring in gas, tolls, car maintenance and driving distance, Wichita commuters spend $3,670 a year getting to and from work, surprisingly placing the city on BI’s undesirable top ten list of the most expensive cities to commute in. It’s no shocker New York City tops the list, with individuals spending nearly $6,000 per year on their daily drive.
But there is one big thing this data doesn’t factor in: parking. Kansas concrete doesn’t quite match the value of any square foot of pavement in the Big Apple, so most Wichita residents won’t find themselves shelling out big bucks for a spot in the company lot, and they likely also won’t be paying rent to store their car at home, either.
Fun, but Limited Activities
For a city of less than half a million, Wichita has some serious bragging rights when it comes to entertainment, food and culture. From exhibition-hopping at the Wichita Art Museum to flower-peeping at Botanica Wichita to seeing a dazzling, free performance of Sleeping Beauty at Ballet in the Park, you’ll find a satisfying array of things to do in Wichita.
But Wichita nightlife isn’t like LA or NYC. You won’t find dance clubs thumping until dawn, and the food scene isn’t likely to impress edgy, urban critics. But, with creative and elegant plates at spots like Lottē, with its rye cavatelli and its Thai grilled trout, it likely won’t disappoint you when it counts. Don’t miss their drupe pavlovas while all the stone fruits are in season.
The Harsh Climate
We’d say that Wichita’s weather gives Kansas a bad name, but really it just lives up to it. Surviving one of this city’s wicked winters is rewarded only by slogging through one of the city’s hot and muggy summers — and tornado season. But the weather in Wichita is so unpredictable, you will sometimes feel you’ve experienced all the city’s seasons in a single day.
Wichita’s winter starts early, with lows averaging 35 F or below from November through March. In January and February, those thermometers can easily fall into the single digits, and most years have seen at least a threat of temps below zero.
In the summertime, expect the opposite extreme. The mercury in Wichita will hit the 90-degree mark more days than not, and there will be occasional trips into triple-digit territory. Summer is also rainy, which can be a relief if it’s not part of a strong thunderstorm, prevalent from April-August.
Though brief, fall is the saving grace of the Wichita climate. From September through the beginning of November, temperatures usually stay below 85 F and above 40 F … except when they don’t.
Limited Infrastructure and Greenspaces
While Wichita has many fine recreation areas — there are 120 parks in Wichita, in fact — new residents moving from outdoor havens on the coasts or in the Rockies may find this city’s offerings a bit less exciting. But even without towering mountain peaks or frothy surf, Wichita still has plenty of space to get out and enjoy your favorite activities.
Hikers can get a taste of Kansas’ beautiful tundra at in-town spots like Pawnee Prairie Park — one of several Wichita Wild Habitat Areas — where you’ll find a butterfly garden along with hiking, biking and bridle trails. A visit to the Great Plains Nature Area can help you get your bearings in this unique landscape, or you can fully immerse yourself in it at the Flint Hills Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, about an hour outside the city.
With its perfect view of the water, the 10-mile Arkansas River Path is very popular for walking, jogging and cycling. Riders looking for an escape from the city can take the Prairie Sunset Trail all the way to Goddard and back, passing through Air Capital Memorial Park, where there is also a BMX single-track course through the woods. Boarders and BMX riders will also love the all-concrete bowls at the Wichita Skatepark, which is coolly located under an overpass just a couple blocks south of the downtown arena.
Don’t forget the wintertime, either. You’ll already be more than close acquaintances with Sedgwick County Park, where Wichita’s famous zoo is located, but once December and January roll around, your kids will have their eyes fixed on this park’s sledding hill.
If this Midwestern city has a real deficit in the outdoors, it’s in commuting. Public transportation in Wichita is limited to buses, which travel along 18 routes plus the downtown Q-line every 45 minutes. Many of the buses are now 100% electric, and all buses can accommodate two bikes on exterior racks, allowing cyclists to connect to the many miles of bike paths in Wichita.
Move to Wichita with America’s #1 Mover®
If you’re relocating to Wichita, you’ll want to put your move in experienced hands. Since 1928, United Van Lines has helped millions of families move to cities across the U.S. Discover the advantages of our full-service moving packages and enjoy a hassle-free move to your new home.
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