January 8, 2024

Moving to Wichita, KS

everything you need to rock your move to the air capital of the world

Strong Economic Growth, Affordable Living, And Family-Friendliness Make Wichita a Draw

4 min read

Alex Downey

In her role as a Sr. SEO Analyst and content strategist, Alex has worked with various self storage brands to develop and execute effective digital marketing strategies. With a deep understanding of consumer behavior and industry trends, Alex has contributed to numerous publications and websites, providing valuable insights and practical advice on self storage, organization, packing, and moving.

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Thinking about moving to Wichita?

You’ll be in good company. Between 2010 and 2016, more than 7,534 people have moved to Wichita, an increase of 2.0%. New residents are attracted to Wichita’s strong economic growth, affordable living, and family friendliness.

Where Are All the New Residents of Wichita Moving From?

Wichita might not be the first place you associate with flight, but maybe it should be. Did you know, for example, that more than a third of general aviation aircraft produced in the world is manufactured in Wichita? It’s true. Wichita should probably also be on your list if you’re looking for a bit of […]

Wichita Population

Wichita is home to 389,902 Wichitans. With an area of 159.3 square miles, Wichita has a population density of 2,448 persons per square mile, which makes it less dense than many other cities of comparable size.

The Wichita, KS Metropolitan Statistical Area boasts a population of 644,672 people, of which Wichita proper’s population makes up 60%.

Housing Market in Wichita

Affordable housing is one of best things Wichita has going for it. The median home value in Wichita is $122,000, -39% below the US median value, according to Zillow. The median price per square foot in Wichita is $91. Over the past 5 years, home values in Wichita have increased by 4%.

Renters in Wichita will also have an easy time finding affordable housing. The median rent in Wichita is $908 per month, which is 37% lower than the US median. Over the past year, rental rates in Wichita have decreased by 1.0%.

Economy in Wichita

Wichita’s economy is growing strong. The Wichita metro area’s GDP grew by 12% between 2010 and 2015, from $28 billion in 2010 to $31 billion in 2015, a total increase of $3 billion. The metro area has a per capita GDP of $48,820. According to the US Census Bureau, the median household income in Wichita, KS is $51,424, 9% lower than the national median. Wichita’s unemployment rate is 4.6%.

Wichita Experiences Hot Summers and Cold Winters

If hot weather isn’t your thing, you might want to think twice before moving to Wichita. Wichita winters are cold, with an average temperature of 39 degrees. Summers in Wichita are hot, with an average temperature of 77 degrees. The average temperature in Spring is 66 degrees and the average temperature in Fall is 46 degrees.

Don’t worry too much about packing your umbrella. Wichita only sees 88 rainy days per year on average and has an average annual rainfall of 32.6 inches. Wichita is relatively dry, with an average annual relative humidity of 66. And don’t forget to bring your sunglasses and tanning lotion! Wichita gets an average of 2,810 sunny hours per year and 128 sunny days, more than much of the rest of the country.

Crime Rate in Wichita

Wichita does have some problems with violent crime, with a violent crime rate of 985 incidents per 100,000 persons according to the FBI, a higher rate than average. Property crime rates in Wichita are relatively high, with a rate of 5,041 incidents per 100,000 persons, a higher rate than average.

Traffic

Traffic is not as big of a problem in Wichita as it is in many other US cities. According to a survey conducted by INRIX, the average commuter in Wichita spends 5.8 hours in traffic each year, with about 3% of their time commuting in a traffic jam, a lower portion than average among US cities.

Cost of Living in Wichita is Low

Wichita is a relatively affordable place to live with a low cost of living. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis‘s Regional Price Parity survey, which takes into account cost of living metrics including the price of goods and services and housing, Wichita has a regional price parity of 98.8, -9.8% below the average for US metro areas.

Wichita Education

Wichita’s workforce is not as educated as comparable cities. Only 18% is in possession of a Bachelor’s degree, and 12% of the population did not complete High School. Only 8% of the population has a Graduate or Professional degree.

Demographics of Wichita

The median age in Wichita is 35.2 years. 49.5% of the population in the Wichita metro area is male, while 50.5% is female. 7.1% of the metro population is foreign born. In terms of racial demographics, Wichita is 82% white, 7% African American, and 1% Asian.

Plan Your Move to Wichita With SpareFoot

Planning a move to Wichita? SpareFoot can help. Use SpareFoot to find special deals and discounts on Wichita Moving Truck Rentals. If you need a storage unit as part of your move, SpareFoot makes it easy to find storage units in Wichita too.