Cost of Living: Wichita, KS vs San Bernardino, CA (2026)

Wichita

Kansas
65
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

Wichita is 40% cheaper than San Bernardino.

$960/mo ↓ 33%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↑ 49%
$63,072/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↑ 1%
$179,500 ↓ 53%
Home Value
$384,900 ↑ 114%
$994/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↑ 49%
396,488
Population
221,774

Tax Comparison

5.7%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.41%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

18.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Wichita, KS and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 65 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $473/month cheaper in Wichita, saving renters about $5,676/year.

Median household income is $916/year higher in San Bernardino. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Wichita is $179,500 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Wichita vs San Bernardino — common questions

Is Wichita or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Wichita is cheaper to live in with an index of 65 compared to 109 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Wichita and San Bernardino?
Median rent in Wichita is $960/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $473/month.
Which city has higher income, Wichita or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $63,072 in Wichita and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $916/year higher in San Bernardino.
How do taxes compare between Kansas and California?
Kansas has 5.7% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 1.41% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Wichita or San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. Wichita has a cost index of 65 with median rent of $960/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Wichita details → View San Bernardino details →

More Comparisons

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