Tampa vs Wichita: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Tampa, FL and Wichita, KS, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Tampa, FL | Wichita, KS |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 388,768 | 395,951 |
| Median household income | $66,802 | $60,712 |
| Median home value | $333,200 | $166,400 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,422 | $915 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Tampa, FL and Wichita, KS comes down to what you value most. Wichita has the lower median home value, and Wichita has the lower median rent.
Tampa has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Tampa or Wichita?
- By median home value, Wichita is the cheaper of the two ($166,400 vs $333,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Tampa or Wichita?
- Median household income is $66,802 in Tampa versus $60,712 in Wichita, per the US Census Bureau.