CostIndexUSA

Philadelphia, PA vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Philadelphia
102.6
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Wichita is moderately cheaper than Philadelphia — 13.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Philadelphia, you would need $69,300 in Wichita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing41.5%
Philadelphia
113.1
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries2.9%
Philadelphia
96.8
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation9.0%
Philadelphia
108.2
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare9.0%
Philadelphia
97.9
Wichita
89.1
Utilities22.6%
Philadelphia
114.4
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$69,300
$10,700 less needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 102.6) = salary × 0.8665. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Home Price
$374,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
113.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.8×

Wichita, KS

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

Philadelphia has 41.5% lower housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Philadelphia, PA

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
1,603,797
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationFinanceTourismManufacturing

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).

Philadelphia, PA
3.9×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.