CostIndexUSA

Omaha, NE vs Wichita, KS Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NE
Omaha
91.9
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableKS
Wichita
88.9
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Wichita is slightly cheaper than Omaha — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Omaha, you would need $77,400 in Wichita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing23.4%
Omaha
86.4
Wichita
66.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Omaha
94.1
Wichita
94
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Omaha
97.6
Wichita
98.5
🏥 Healthcare+0.9%
Omaha
88.3
Wichita
89.1
Utilities+15.8%
Omaha
76.4
Wichita
88.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita, KS
$77,400
$2,600 less needed in Wichita

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 91.9) = salary × 0.9674. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Omaha, NE

Median Home Price
$295,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6×

Wichita, KS

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

Omaha has 23.4% lower housing costs compared to Wichita.

Income & Job Market

Omaha, NE

Median Household Income
$81,400
Per Capita Income
$46,400
Unemployment Rate
2.6%
Population
486,051
Top Industries
FinanceInsuranceHealthcareTelecommunicationsManufacturing

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).

Omaha, NE
4.8×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.