Cost of Living: Wichita, KS vs Madison, WI (2026)

Wichita

Kansas
65
VS

Madison

Wisconsin
103

Wichita is 37% cheaper than Madison.

$960/mo ↓ 30%
Median Rent
$1,364/mo ↑ 42%
$63,072/yr ↓ 18%
Median Income
$76,983/yr ↑ 22%
$179,500 ↓ 48%
Home Value
$346,900 ↑ 93%
$994/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,476/mo ↑ 48%
396,488
Population
275,568

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
7.65%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
5.0%
1.41%
Property Tax
1.61%

Affordability

18.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wichita, KS and Madison, WI, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 103 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $404/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $4,848/year.

Median household income is $13,911/year higher in Madison. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wichita is $179,500 compared to $346,900 in Madison.

Kansas has a lower income tax rate, making Wichita slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wichita vs Madison — common questions

Is Wichita or Madison cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 103 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wichita and Madison?
Median rent in Wichita is $960/month and in Madison it's $1,364/month — a difference of $404/month.
Which city has higher income, Wichita or Madison?
Median household income is $63,072 in Wichita and $76,983 in Madison. Median household income is $13,911/year higher in Madison.
How do taxes compare between Kansas and Wisconsin?
Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax. Wisconsin has 7.65% income tax, 5.0% sales tax, and 1.61% property tax.
Should I move to Wichita or Madison?
It depends on your priorities. Wichita has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $960/mo, while Madison has a cost index of 103 with rent of $1,364/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wichita details → View Madison details →

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