| Reasonable overall cost-of-living (particularly moderate housing costs) are a particularly effective personnel recruiting and retention inducement.
Overall Cost-of-Living
Even with its many amenities, Wichita's overall cost-of-living index is a very moderate 91.6, roughly 8% below the national urban area average of 100.
| Urban Area |
Index |
| Oklahoma City, OK |
86.4 |
| Omaha, NE |
87.3 |
| Tulsa, OK |
88.8 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL |
90.0 |
| Wichita, KS |
90.9 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
91.6 |
| Des Moines, IA |
91.7 |
| Dallas, TX |
91.9 |
| Colorado Springs, CO |
92.1 |
| Indianapolis, IN |
94.2 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS |
96.1 |
| National |
100.0 |
| Denver, CO |
105.1 |
| Seattle, WA |
121.5 |
| Orange County, CA |
153.7 |
Source: ACCRA Cost-of-Living Survey (Q1-2009)
National = Average of 311 participating urban areas
Housing is a particular bargain in the Wichita market. The median selling price of existing (previously owned) single-family homes in the Wichita metro area was $108,700 in the First Quarter 2009 survey by the National Association of Realtors. Wichita homes averaged $60,300 or 36% below the national median price of $169,000.
| Urban Area |
Median Home Price |
| Indianapolis, IN |
$107,300 |
| Wichita, KS |
$112,700 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL |
$121,400 |
| Oklahoma City, OK |
$124,900 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
$128,500 |
| Omaha, NE |
$132,900 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS |
$139,500 |
| Dallas, TX |
$142,400 |
| Des Moines, IA |
$147,900 |
| Albuquerque, NM |
$190,500 |
| National |
$196,300 |
| Colorado Springs, CO |
$208,900 |
| Denver, CO |
$223,500 |
| Seattle, WA |
$372,300 |
| Los Angeles Area, CA |
$459,400 |
Source: National Association of Realtors (Q1 - 2009) Newly-built home prices are also quite reasonable. First Quarter 2008 median sale price of all newly-built single-family homes in the Wichita metro area was $191,770. That is $41,930 or 18% below the corresponding national figure of $233,700.
Wichita area apartment rent is also very reasonable. Average two-bedroom apartment rent was $676 in the First Quarter 2008 ACCRA Survey. That is $131 or 16% lower than the national figure of $807.
| Urban Area |
Rent |
| Tulsa, OK |
$580 |
| Des Moines, IA |
$591 |
| Omaha, NE |
$626 |
| Wichita, KS |
$676 |
| Oklahoma City, OK |
$691 |
| Dallas, TX |
$724 |
| Colorado Springs, CO |
$738 |
| Cincinnati, OH |
$746 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS |
$766 |
| National |
$797 |
| St. Louis, MO |
$809 |
| Denver, CO |
$814 |
| Indianapolis, IN |
$849 |
| Seattle, WA |
$1,464 |
| Orange County, CA |
$1,639 |
Source: ACCRA Cost-of-Living Survey (Q1 - 2008)
Unfinished 950 sq. ft., 1 1/2 or 2 bath, stove, refrigerator, water/sewer in rent
National=Average of 311 urban areas
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