CostIndexUSA

Tacoma, WA vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WA
Tacoma
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Wichita is significantly cheaper than Tacoma — 20.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Tacoma, you would need $64,000 in Wichita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing56.2%
Tacoma
151.3
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries9.6%
Tacoma
104
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation12.2%
Tacoma
112.2
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare12.2%
Tacoma
101.5
Wichita
89.1
Utilities4.6%
Tacoma
92.8
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$64,000
$16,000 less needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 111.1) = salary × 0.8002. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Tacoma, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Wichita, KS

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

Tacoma has 56.2% lower housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Tacoma, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
219,346
Top Industries
MilitaryManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsRetail

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).

Tacoma, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.