Wichita, Kansas

What's the cost of living in Wichita, KS?

One of the greatest benefits of living in Wichita is the cost of living, which is well below the national average. Housing prices and rental rates are inexpensive compared to what you'd find in places on the East or West Coast. Residents also tend to spend less on daily expenses like groceries and utilities than the average American. However, Kansas has some of the highest sales taxes in the nation.

What's the best way to get around Wichita, KS?

You will need a car to get around Wichita, as the metro area is fairly spread out, and although public bus service is available, it's fairly limited in reach. The average commute time in Wichita is one of the best in the country at less than 20 minutes.

Recent efforts have been made on the part of the local government to make Wichita more bike-friendly. Designated bike lanes have been installed throughout downtown and the bordering neighborhoods. There is also a network of recreational bike paths covering roughly 100 miles of scenic byways around the region. For those traveling throughout the downtown area, the Q-Line Trolley provides fare-free service.

The Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower International Airport offers nonstop flights to destinations like Seattle, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. Ground transport is provided by charter bus companies like Greyhound, while Amtrak trains service the nearby town of Newton.

Who lives in Wichita, KS?

Wichita has a reputation of being a great place to raise a family. It also draws many young professionals and retirees with its employment opportunities and low cost of living. The median age of Wichita's population is 35, and residents older than 65 constitute roughly 13 percent of the population.

A traditionally conservative community, Wichita families have broad religious affiliations, with Catholicism and Evangelical Protestantism being two of the most common faiths.

Demographically, there are neighborhoods known for various ethnic concentrations, but a major influence of cultural diversity is rooted in generations of Lebanese immigrants who have left a noticeable imprint on the metro area. Middle Eastern restaurants are located throughout Wichita, and every year, the St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral hosts a Lebanese dinner and food sale.