Manhattan, NY, and Wichita, KS, offer significantly contrasting living experiences. From bustling city life in Manhattan to a quiet, laid-back lifestyle in Wichita, these cities appeal to individuals with a variety of preferences. The discussion below will delve into various areas of interest such as crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, and more. This comparison should prove beneficial to both potential residents and visitors.
While every city has its share of crime, Manhattan can pose greater safety concerns due to its population density and urban environment. Violent crime rates are generally higher than Wichita. Wichita experiences its share of crime but at rates significantly lower than Manhattan. Both cities have made significant strides in crime reduction, but individuals should still be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions.
Cost of Living
Manhattan is one of the most expensive places to live in the US with soaring housing costs and general living expenses. Wichita, on the other hand, is significantly cheaper, offering more affordable housing and lower cost of living overall.
Income Tax
New York's income tax is higher than Kansas', with rates ranging up to 8.82% in Manhattan. Income tax in Wichita goes up to 5.7% at the most.
Property Tax
New York City has a complex property tax system, but generally, rates tend to be relatively low due to high property values. Wichita homeowners generally face higher property tax rates.
Sales Tax
New York has a higher sales tax rate than Kansas; Manhattan residents face an 8.875% while Wichita has a 7.5% rate.
Income
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Estimated median household income
$84,435
$56,293
Estimated per capita income
$76,589
$30,942
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
185.3
81.7
If you make $50,000 in Wichita, you will have to make $113,403 in Manhattan to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Manhattan is an island borough surrounded by the Hudson, East, and Harlem rivers. It's relatively flat with a dense urban landscape. Wichita lies on the Great Plains and is generally flat with the Arkansas River flowing through it.
Geographical information
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Land area
23 sq. miles
135.8 sq. miles
Population density
70,629 people per sq. mile
2,914.9 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Manhattan, NY Wichita, KS
Education
Manhattan boasts a large number of world-renowned universities such as Columbia University and New York University. Public schools in the city are highly diverse, with numerous high-quality private options. Wichita has reputable public schools, a handful of private schools, and universities including Wichita State University, creating a balanced education landscape.
Manhattan's economy is robust and diverse, heavily focused on finance, media, art, and fashion. The job market in Wichita, although smaller, is stable, with dominant industries such as aviation, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Biggest Employers
Manhattan is home to large multinationals, including J.P. Morgan, Citigroup, and Verizon. Wichita's biggest employers include names such as Koch Industries, Spirit AeroSystems, and Via Christi Health.
In Manhattan (New York County), 83.9% voted for Democrats and 14.9% 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
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
2020
86.5%
42.9%
12.2%
54.7%
1.2%
2.4%
2016
86.7%
36.3%
9.7%
54.4%
3.6%
9.3%
2012
83.9%
39.4%
14.9%
58.3%
1.2%
2.3%
2008
86.1%
42.5%
13.5%
55.2%
0.3%
2.3%
2004
82.3%
36.6%
16.8%
62.3%
0.9%
1.2%
2000
80.0%
38.4%
14.5%
57.5%
5.5%
4.1%
1996
80.0%
35.8%
13.8%
56.1%
6.3%
8.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
CATHOLIC CHURCH
20.4%
15.0%
12.6%
5.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
2.7%
0.2%
2.4%
0.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.7%
0.5%
5.3%
1.3%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
1.6%
0.6%
4.7%
3.1%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.6%
0.1%
1.2%
0.2%
PATRIAR PARISHE RUSSIAN ORTHODO CHURCH USA
0.4%
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
2.0%
1.6%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.3%
0.4%
2.4%
1.3%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
5.9%
2.9%
9.9%
SALVATION ARMY
0.1%
0.4%
0.6%
0.4%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.0%
1.4%
0.6%
1.8%
Weather
Manhattan experiences all four seasons with snowy winters, hot and humid summers, and mild, pleasant springs and falls. Alternatively, Wichita, situated in the Great Plains, is known for its varied weather patterns including hot summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. Wichita is also located in Tornado Alley, often experiencing extreme weather conditions.
Weather and climate
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
56.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
67.4%
73.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
30%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
77%
84%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
47%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
49.6 in
30.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
57.4 in
30 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
17.8%
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
6.7 mph
12.5 mph
Average climate in Manhattan, New York
Average climate in Wichita, Kansas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
Manhattan
Wichita
2018
94
67
0.29
N/A
17.3
7.8
23.9
28.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
25.8
7.9
6.2
0.5
1.1
2017
97
66
0.16
N/A
17.4
6.8
24.0
29.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.1
7.7
6.9
0.4
1.2
2016
94
65
0.28
N/A
18.1
6.8
24.2
27.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.5
7.7
N/A
0.6
0.6
2015
100
61
0.36
N/A
18.9
7.2
23.0
28.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.1
8.6
N/A
1.0
1.0
2014
95
70
0.40
N/A
19.1
7.7
22.3
30.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
23.4
8.3
N/A
1.1
1.4
2013
97
66
0.43
0.25
19.5
8.9
22.6
30.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.8
9.0
N/A
1.1
0.6
2012
99
91
0.46
0.26
18.6
9.9
23.4
32.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
24.1
9.3
N/A
1.7
1.2
2011
108
89
0.46
0.22
20.7
12.2
22.2
33.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
22.6
10.9
N/A
2.7
1.5
2010
113
73
0.45
0.45
19.3
8.3
23.3
32.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
20.2
10.4
N/A
2.7
0.7
2009
104
69
0.51
0.31
21.9
8.2
18.8
29.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
19.9
10.7
N/A
3.8
0.8
2008
110
66
0.49
0.36
23.0
8.9
19.8
24.0
0.013
N/A
N/A
20.9
12.3
N/A
4.6
1.7
2007
121
70
0.56
0.47
24.4
9.5
19.4
21.7
0.016
N/A
N/A
21.2
13.1
N/A
5.5
1.4
2006
116
82
0.64
0.46
24.6
10.0
18.9
29.7
0.018
N/A
N/A
22.3
12.9
N/A
6.5
0.4
2005
112
80
0.77
0.55
26.7
11.4
18.4
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
21.5
N/A
N/A
8.2
0.3
2004
108
60
0.77
0.37
26.7
9.3
17.3
27.8
0.030
N/A
N/A
20.2
N/A
N/A
8.0
0.1
2003
107
74
0.83
0.30
27.8
10.0
17.5
29.2
0.024
N/A
26.9
21.8
N/A
N/A
8.2
0.1
2002
122
79
0.78
0.54
27.9
8.1
18.7
31.7
0.008
N/A
25.9
22.4
N/A
N/A
7.3
0.1
2001
123
86
0.79
0.40
29.4
5.2
19.4
34.2
0.020
N/A
25.0
23.7
N/A
N/A
8.7
0.2
2000
115
84
0.90
0.55
30.2
5.0
15.0
30.6
0.022
N/A
22.2
22.8
N/A
N/A
8.4
0.3
Natural disasters
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
59.1%
202.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
31.1%
922.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
18%
16%
Transportation
Manhattan boasts an extensive public transit system, including subways, buses, and cabs. Conversely, Wichita is a more car-dependent city with limited public transportation options.
Transport
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
2
2
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
69
Means of transportation to work
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Bicycle
0.9%
0.3%
Bus
10.1%
0.5%
Carpooled
3.4%
9.1%
Car alone
7.6%
87%
Motorcycle
0.1%
0.1%
Railroad
1.1%
0%
Streetcar
0.1%
0%
Subway
43.6%
0%
Taxicab
4.7%
0.1%
Walked
21.9%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Average
30.3 min
21.6 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Manhattan is among the priciest in the nation. Conversely, Wichita's housing market is considerably more affordable, with a wide range of options from downtown apartments to suburban family homes.
Neighborhoods
Manhattan neighborhoods, like SoHo, Harlem, and the Upper East Side, are renowned worldwide for their unique atmospheres and attractions. Wichita's neighborhoods like Riverside, College Hill, and Old Town offer quieter, family-friendly environments with a small-town feel.
Houses and residents
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
Houses
798,144
176,357
Average household size (people)
2
2.5
Houses occupied
738,644 (92.5%)
156,668 (88.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
148,695 (20.1%)
91,527 (58.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
589,949 (79.9%)
65,141 (41.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,690
$1,022
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$3,393,315
$269,752
Estimated median house or condo value
$940,900
$165,700
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.2
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
4
7
Renting percentage
77.2%
38.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
34,757
1,299.1
Household income disparities
47.8%
44.1%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,104 (40.3%)
1,747 (3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13 (0.5%)
4,222 (7.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
1,636 (59.7%)
56,370 (97%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
140 (5.1%)
321 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
140 (5.1%)
5,142 (8.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
2%
3.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
69,517
8,733
State government workers
15,544
7,037
Unpaid family workers
1,861
256
Industries and Occupations
Finance, media, tech, and fashion dominate in Manhattan, offering a wide range of job opportunities. Wichita is known for its significant role in the aviation industry, often dubbed the 'Air Capital of the World', alongside jobs in healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
Manhattan provides world-class healthcare with top-ranked hospitals like NY Presbyterian and Mount Sinai. Wichita also offers high quality healthcare, with numerous hospitals and clinics, including the Wesley Medical Center.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Manhattan features impressive infrastructure with iconic towering skyscrapers, historic landmarks, and extensive public transport. Wichita, being a smaller city, has less dense infrastructure and a more suburban feel but still provides all necessary amenities.
Infrastructure
Type
Manhattan
Wichita
TV stations
30
13
Culture and Food
Manhattan is a cultural melting pot with endless options for entertainment, art, and food from around the world. Wichita has a vibrant local arts scene and a growing food culture offering a selection of regional and international cuisines.
Sports Teams
Manhattan is home to famous sports teams like the New York Knicks (NBA) and New York Rangers (NHL). Wichita doesn't house any major league teams but takes pride in its college sports, particularly Wichita State University's basketball team.
Manhattan, NY
Wichita, KS
Manhattan, NY and 
Wichita, KS : 1,264.4 miles
