Living in the Bronx, New York, and Wichita, Kansas provide two distinctly different life experiences. The Bronx bursts with a lively urban atmosphere, diverse culture, and abundance of amenities, while Wichita offers residents a slower, smaller city pace, with a strong sense of community and more affordable living. These contrasts cover aspects like crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, and work opportunities. This comparison aims to provide useful information for both potential movers and tourists alike.
The crime rate in the Bronx is higher compared to Wichita, due to its denser population and urban environment. These rates are, however, improving over the years, thanks to rigorous law enforcement and community programs. Wichita has a lower overall crime rate, making it potentially more appealing for families. Being a smaller city, community involvement in safety is notable in Wichita.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in the Bronx is considerably higher than in Wichita. This applies to aspects like housing, groceries, health care, and entertainment. Wichita is one of the country's most affordable cities, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Income Tax
In the Bronx, the state income tax ranges from 4% to 8.82% on a graduated scale, plus a city income tax ranging from 3.078% to 3.876%. In Kansas, state income tax ranges from 3.1% to 5.7%.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in the Bronx are part of the New York City rates, on assessed value. Wichita has higher property tax rates, based on county, city, and school district levies.
Sales Tax
New York state sales tax is 4%, with an additional 8.875% in New York City, making the total sales tax in the Bronx 8.875%. In Kansas, the state sales tax is 6.5%, with Wichita sales tax at 7.5%.
Income
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Estimated median household income
$43,011
$56,293
Estimated per capita income
$23,354
$30,942
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
172.8
81.7
If you make $50,000 in Wichita, you will have to make $105,753 in Bronx to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
The Bronx located on the mainland offers rivers and parks, whereas Wichita, at the heart of the Great Plains, offers vast open spaces and a typically flat terrain.
Geographical information
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Land area
42 sq. miles
135.8 sq. miles
Population density
32,928 people per sq. mile
2,914.9 people per sq. mile
Elevation
120 feet
1,305 feet
Relative area comparison
Bronx, NY Wichita, KS
Education
Both cities boast good educational systems. The Bronx offers a diverse range of public and private schools, including reputed universities like Fordham University and Manhattan College. Career driven education is also strong due to the availability of trade schools. Wichita boasts of exceptional schools such as Wichita State University, and other public and private schools, with a focus on aerospace and aviation academics.
The work and economic landscape contrasts distinctly between the two. The Bronx is a part of the robust New York City economy, with opportunities in a variety of sectors like media, finance, and healthcare. In contrast, Wichita is renowned as the "Air Capital of the World" with a diversifying economy including healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
Biggest Employers
In the Bronx, the biggest employers are in the healthcare and education sectors with Montefiore Medical Center and Fordham University as leading employers. Wichita's largest employers are Spirit AeroSystems, Koch Industries, and various healthcare providers.
In Bronx (Bronx County), 91.9% voted for Democrats and 8.1% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Wichita (Sedgwick County), 39.4% voted for Democrats and 58.3% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
2020
83.7%
42.9%
16.0%
54.7%
0.3%
2.4%
2016
88.6%
36.3%
9.5%
54.4%
2.0%
9.3%
2012
91.9%
39.4%
8.1%
58.3%
0.0%
2.3%
2008
89.0%
42.5%
11.0%
55.2%
0.0%
2.3%
2004
82.9%
36.6%
16.5%
62.3%
0.6%
1.2%
2000
86.5%
38.4%
11.8%
57.5%
1.7%
4.1%
1996
85.8%
35.8%
10.5%
56.1%
3.7%
8.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.5%
15.0%
11.5%
5.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.8%
0.2%
3.9%
0.7%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.7%
0.6%
4.4%
3.1%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.7%
0.4%
6.5%
1.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
3.7%
1.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.2%
0.5%
2.6%
1.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
5.9%
2.4%
9.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.1%
1.4%
0.6%
1.8%
SALVATION ARMY
0.1%
0.4%
0.3%
0.4%
Weather
Weather conditions are significantly different between the two locations. The Bronx experiences a temperate maritime climate, with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Snowfall is common in the winter. Wichita, on the other hand, has a humid subtropical climate. Its winters are mild to cold, and summers are hot and humid, experiencing more thunderstorms compared to the Bronx.
Weather and climate
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Temperature - Average
54.7°F
56.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.2%
73.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
26.4%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
75.6%
84%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49.2%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
47 in
30.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
54.5 in
30 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.5%
21.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
70.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
76%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
56%
Wind speed - Average
10.7 mph
12.5 mph
Average climate in Bronx, New York
Average climate in Wichita, Kansas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
Bronx
Wichita
2018
102
67
0.31
N/A
15.8
7.8
24.4
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.8
7.4
6.2
0.6
1.1
2017
100
66
0.04
N/A
15.7
6.8
24.6
29.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.1
7.0
6.9
0.6
1.2
2016
98
65
0.30
N/A
16.4
6.8
24.6
27.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.5
7.2
N/A
0.8
0.6
2015
105
61
0.28
N/A
18.0
7.2
23.6
28.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.1
8.6
N/A
1.4
1.0
2014
99
70
0.32
N/A
18.0
7.7
23.6
30.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
23.4
8.4
N/A
1.7
1.4
2013
103
66
0.39
0.25
18.9
8.9
23.5
30.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.8
9.3
N/A
2.1
0.6
2012
104
91
0.44
0.26
18.8
9.9
23.9
32.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.1
9.7
N/A
3.1
1.2
2011
113
89
0.46
0.22
20.9
12.2
22.1
33.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.6
11.6
N/A
4.5
1.5
2010
113
73
0.53
0.45
20.2
8.3
23.7
32.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.2
10.8
N/A
4.7
0.7
2009
107
69
0.53
0.31
22.3
8.2
19.5
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.9
10.8
N/A
5.4
0.8
2008
114
66
0.53
0.36
23.3
8.9
19.9
24.0
0.013
N/A
N/A
20.9
12.1
N/A
5.9
1.7
2007
122
70
0.60
0.47
24.6
9.5
19.1
21.7
0.016
N/A
N/A
21.2
13.2
N/A
7.0
1.4
2006
120
82
0.50
0.46
25.0
10.0
18.9
29.7
0.018
N/A
N/A
22.3
12.8
N/A
7.0
0.4
2005
115
80
0.60
0.55
27.0
11.4
17.8
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.5
N/A
N/A
9.3
0.3
2004
109
60
0.62
0.37
25.6
9.3
16.7
27.8
0.030
N/A
N/A
20.2
N/A
N/A
8.8
0.1
2003
110
74
0.75
0.30
27.4
10.0
17.1
29.2
0.022
N/A
26.9
21.8
N/A
N/A
8.9
0.1
2002
124
79
0.67
0.54
27.9
8.1
17.4
31.7
0.008
N/A
25.0
22.4
N/A
N/A
8.6
0.1
2001
126
86
0.66
0.40
30.0
5.2
17.8
34.2
0.020
N/A
22.8
23.7
N/A
N/A
10.0
0.2
2000
115
84
0.68
0.55
29.4
5.0
16.0
30.6
0.022
N/A
22.2
22.8
N/A
N/A
10.2
0.3
Natural disasters
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
58.3%
202.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31%
922.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
14%
16%
Transportation
Being part of New York City, the Bronx benefits from an extensive public transit system. Wichita mainly relies on personal vehicles due to a less extensive public transport system, although it does offer bus services throughout the city.
Transport
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
39
2
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
69
Means of transportation to work
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Bicycle
0.2%
0.3%
Bus
15.6%
0.5%
Carpooled
9.3%
9.1%
Car alone
27%
87%
Motorcycle
0%
0.1%
Railroad
2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
34.6%
0%
Taxicab
1.3%
0.1%
Walked
7.2%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Average
44.2 min
21.6 min
Real Estate
The real estate market is robust in the Bronx, with prices higher than the national average due to its location in New York City. Wichita real estate prices are much more affordable, offering more space and amenities for less.
Neighborhoods
The Bronx hosts diverse neighborhoods, from the artistic hub of Mott Haven to the affluent Riverdale. Wichita's neighborhoods range from historic, such as Old Town, to new developments like Eastborough.
Houses and residents
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Houses
490,659
176,357
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.5
Houses occupied
463,212 (94.4%)
156,668 (88.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
90,522 (19.5%)
91,527 (58.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
372,690 (80.5%)
65,141 (41.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,273
$1,022
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$708,992
$269,752
Estimated median house or condo value
$465,000
$165,700
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.1
7
Renting percentage
80.7%
38.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
11,675
1,299.1
Household income disparities
50.2%
44.1%
Housing units without a mortgage
12,021 (34%)
1,747 (3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
105 (0.3%)
4,222 (7.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
23,339 (66%)
56,370 (97%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
2,053 (5.8%)
321 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
2,159 (6.1%)
5,142 (8.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.4%
3.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
16,572
8,733
State government workers
14,515
7,037
Unpaid family workers
1,000
256
Industries and Occupations
Key industries in the Bronx include healthcare, education, and retail trade. Wichita's economy hinges on manufacturing, particularly aerospace, education, and healthcare.
Both cities have high-quality healthcare systems. Bronx residents benefit from prestigious institutions like Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Wichita offers well-regarded hospitals, including Wesley Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Bronx
Wichita
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Urban infrastructure in the Bronx is well developed, with an efficient public transportation system, numerous parks, hospitals, and entertainment venues. Wichita is also well-equipped but on a smaller scale, featuring excellent parks and recreation systems, with a continued focus on infrastructure improvement.
Infrastructure
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Hospitals
57
24
TV stations
30
13
Bank branches located here
118
138
Bank institutions located here
24
34
Main business address for public companies
2
5
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
1
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
4
3
Schools
School facilities
Type
Bronx
Wichita
Private elementary/middle schools
54
22
Private high schools
20
6
Public elementary/middle schools
285
81
Public high schools
155
17
Colleges/Universities
9
16
Culture and Food
The Bronx boasts diverse culture reflected in ample visual and performing art scenes, music festivals, and diverse food menus from across the globe. Wichita has a rich historical culture with a burgeoning arts scene and cuisine that reflects its Midwestern roots.
Sports Teams
Sports fans can revel in iconic teams like the New York Yankees in the Bronx. Wichita, though without a major league team, hosts minor league baseball and a high-energy college sports scene.
Bronx, NY
Wichita, KS
Bronx, NY and 
Wichita, KS : 1,269.9 miles
