City Comparison
Hutchinson vs Wichita
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Hutchinson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Hutchinson
Wichita
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Hutchinson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Hutchinson's average rent is
11% lower than Wichita's.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Wichita | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $950 | -11% |
| Groceries | $380 | $380 | 0% |
| Utilities | $175 | $170 | +3% |
| Transport | $310 | $110 | +182% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $1,945 | $1,830 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 82 | 88 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wichita offers 12% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wichita delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Hutchinson is estimated at
$42,000 vs $48,000 in Wichita.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $51,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $48,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,195 idx | 65,909 idx |
| Household Income | $53,500 | $65,200 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Hutchinson sees 5.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.50°F | 58.40°F |
| Summer High | 86.50°F | 87.20°F |
| Winter Low | 22.10°F | 23.60°F |
| Rainfall | 33.50 in | 35.90 in |
| Snowfall | 13.30 in | 7.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | 280 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
For walkability, Hutchinson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 19 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 32.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Hutchinson.
From a growth perspective, Wichita is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wichita has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Hutchinson | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,000 | 397,532 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.40% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Hutchinson
Advantages
Median home prices in Hutchinson are significantly lower than the national average per U.S. Census data.
Average commute times under 17 minutes provide superior daily quality of life.
Home to world-class educational and cultural assets including the Cosmosphere and Strataca.
Abundant outdoor recreational spaces, including the expansive Carey Park and local trail systems.
Strong local healthcare infrastructure anchored by the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System.
Drawbacks
Limited public transportation options necessitate high car dependency for daily errands.
Hot summer temperatures and cold winter winds require higher seasonal utility management.
Slower job growth rates in certain traditional sectors compared to major Kansas metropolitan hubs.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options for young adults seeking a fast-paced urban scene.
Vulnerability to severe weather typical of central Kansas, including occasional high winds and storms.
Wichita
Advantages
Median home prices in Wichita are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average daily commute times are notably shorter than the U.S. average, reducing daily transit stress per Census Bureau reports.
The city offers a robust and growing arts and culinary scene, particularly in the historic Old Town and Delano districts.
Wichita serves as a major regional healthcare hub with world-class hospital systems like Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center.
Abundant green spaces, including the Arkansas River multi-use paths and Botanica Gardens, provide strong outdoor recreation options.
Drawbacks
The local economy experiences cyclical fluctuations due to its heavy reliance on the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be quite high and breezy, while winters occasionally bring unpredictable severe weather and ice storms.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates relative to suburban developments.
Voter-approved public transit and infrastructure funding have historically lagged behind growing metropolitan expansion needs.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Hutchinson
#189Kansas, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$51,000
Cost Index
82
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
57.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
73
Business
65
Wichita
#290Kansas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
58.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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