CostIndexUSA

Fresno, CA vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Wichita is moderately cheaper than Fresno — 13.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fresno, you would need $69,600 in Wichita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing30.8%
Fresno
95.7
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries10.6%
Fresno
105.2
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation6.5%
Fresno
105.3
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare6.5%
Fresno
95.3
Wichita
89.1
Utilities45.0%
Fresno
161
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fresno to see what you'd need to earn in Wichita to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$69,600
$10,400 less needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 102.2) = salary × 0.8699. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Wichita, KS

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
66.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Fresno has 30.8% lower housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Wichita, KS

Median Household Income
$67,400
Per Capita Income
$38,400
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
397,532
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareAgricultureEnergy

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita, KS
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.