San Diego, California, and Wichita, Kansas, are two diverse cities offering unique living experiences. From sunny coastlines to the heart of America's breadbasket, each city provides a distinct lifestyle with benefits and drawbacks. In comparison, San Diego boasts a vibrant culture, diverse food scene, and mild weather, but at high living costs. On the other hand, Wichita provides a low-cost living environment, combined with a robust economy and burgeoning industries, but suffers from extreme weather. The following comparison looks into crucial factors to consider when moving to either city or visiting as a tourist.
Distance between
San Diego, CA and
Wichita, KS : 1,165.7 miles
San Diego's population is larger by 249%. Its population has grown by 158,211 people (12.9%) since 2000. The population of Wichita has grown by 51,415 people (14.9%) during that time.
San Diego, as one of California's major cities, does face challenges with crime but has a lower crime rate than the national average. However, the focus on community policing and increased surveillance has improved safety over the years. Wichita, despite its smaller population, has a higher-than-average crime rate. Yet, it's important to note that crime is generally localized, and many neighborhoods in both cities remain safe and peaceful.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,333 registered sex offenders living in San Diego and 1,438 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Diego is 1,055 to 1; the ratio in Wichita is 271 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in San Diego than in Wichita.
Cost of Living
San Diego's cost of living is significantly higher than the national average, particularly regarding housing costs. However, higher salaries in the city often offset these costs. Comparatively, Wichita, like many midwestern cities, boasts a lower cost of living, with affordable housing, transportation, and healthcare systems.
Income Tax
California has a progressive income tax system, with the top rate at 13.3%, one of the highest in the nation. Kansas also has a progressive income tax system, but the top rate is much lower at 5.7%.
Property Tax
Property tax in San Diego stands around 0.77%, considerably lower than the national average. Wichita, however, has a higher property tax rate, averaging around 1.4%.
Sales Tax
California has a higher sales tax rate, currently at 7.25%, compared to Kansas at 6.5%. However, localities can add their sales tax, which might make the total tax rate higher in some areas.
Income
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Estimated median household income
$93,042
$56,293
Estimated per capita income
$48,380
$30,942
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
126.4
81.7
If you make $50,000 in Wichita, you will have to make $77,356 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Diego, presenting stunning coastal, mountain, and desert environments, provides an array of outdoor recreational possibilities. In contrast, Wichita is located in the American heartland, offering a beautiful prairie setting with dramatic skies and ample outdoor recreational activities.
San Diego is home to some world-renowned educational institutions, including the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), which may be attractive to families with kids pursuing higher education. Wichita, however, offers quality education with highly-ranked public and private schools. It also houses reputable universities like Wichita State University.
San Diego's economy is anchored in the military, defense, and healthcare industries, providing a wealth of employment opportunities. On the other hand, Wichita's economy is primarily driven by aviation manufacturing, with companies like Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation anchoring the local economy.
Biggest Employers
In San Diego, some of the largest employers include the Navy, University of California San Diego, and Scripps Health. Wichita's largest employers include Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita Public Schools, and Koch Industries, indicating the city's focus on manufacturing and education.
There were 539 building permits issued in San Diego in 2012 (88 more than in 2011) compared to 760 building permits issued in Wichita in 2012 (351 more than in 2011).
In San Diego (San Diego County), 52.6% voted for Democrats and 45.0% 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
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
2020
60.3%
42.9%
37.5%
54.7%
2.1%
2.4%
2016
56.3%
36.3%
36.6%
54.4%
7.1%
9.3%
2012
52.6%
39.4%
45.0%
58.3%
2.4%
2.3%
2008
54.2%
42.5%
44.0%
55.2%
1.8%
2.3%
2004
46.7%
36.6%
52.9%
62.3%
0.4%
1.2%
2000
45.8%
38.4%
49.8%
57.5%
4.5%
4.1%
1996
44.1%
35.8%
45.6%
56.1%
10.3%
8.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.9%
15.0%
6.7%
5.9%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.1%
5.9%
12.0%
9.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
0.2%
1.1%
0.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.4%
2.0%
1.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
0.5%
2.0%
1.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.5%
2.0%
1.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
1.4%
2.2%
1.8%
SALVATION ARMY
0.3%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.6%
1.5%
3.1%
Weather
San Diego is renowned for its sunny and mild Mediterranean climate. The weather, almost year-round, is agreeable, making it a popular destination for tourists and would-be residents alike. Wichita, contrastingly, experiences a pronounced four-season climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Severe weather conditions, like tornadoes, are part of life in the Midwest, which might affect visitors or potential residents.
Weather and climate
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Temperature - Average
64.4°F
56.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
73.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
22%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
80%
84%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
58%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
11 in
30.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
30 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
24.3%
21.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
74.8%
70.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
19%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
75%
76%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
56%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
12.5 mph
Average climate in San Diego, California
Average climate in Wichita, Kansas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
San Diego
Wichita
2018
101
67
0.53
N/A
11.2
7.8
32.6
28.1
0.007
N/A
N/A
25.8
10.5
6.2
0.1
1.1
2017
115
66
0.63
N/A
12.7
6.8
32.7
29.1
0.007
N/A
N/A
22.1
10.8
6.9
0.1
1.2
2016
105
65
0.46
N/A
13.0
6.8
30.4
27.6
0.006
N/A
N/A
21.5
11.4
N/A
0.1
0.6
2015
111
61
0.43
N/A
13.2
7.2
29.9
28.4
0.005
N/A
N/A
21.1
11.9
N/A
0.1
1.0
2014
105
70
0.44
N/A
11.6
7.7
31.1
30.0
0.007
N/A
N/A
23.4
11.1
N/A
0.1
1.4
2013
138
66
0.50
0.25
12.4
8.9
27.4
30.1
0.019
N/A
N/A
20.8
12.3
N/A
0.2
0.6
2012
110
91
0.53
0.26
12.7
9.9
28.0
32.2
0.019
N/A
N/A
24.1
13.6
N/A
0.2
1.2
2011
122
89
0.51
0.22
13.5
12.2
29.0
33.5
0.034
N/A
N/A
22.6
14.0
N/A
1.5
1.5
2010
109
73
0.52
0.45
14.0
8.3
29.3
32.0
0.019
N/A
N/A
20.2
13.9
N/A
1.0
0.7
2009
121
69
0.64
0.31
15.6
8.2
26.9
29.3
0.014
N/A
N/A
19.9
15.1
N/A
2.7
0.8
2008
127
66
0.71
0.36
16.1
8.9
28.4
24.0
N/A
N/A
67.3
20.9
N/A
N/A
2.6
1.7
2007
157
70
0.71
0.47
16.4
9.5
28.0
21.7
0.012
N/A
64.6
21.2
N/A
N/A
2.8
1.4
2006
123
82
0.81
0.46
18.9
10.0
27.1
29.7
0.056
N/A
64.8
22.3
N/A
N/A
3.4
0.4
2005
112
80
0.90
0.55
19.2
11.4
24.4
27.8
0.049
N/A
N/A
21.5
N/A
N/A
3.7
0.3
2004
120
60
0.93
0.37
18.4
9.3
25.9
27.8
0.055
N/A
N/A
20.2
N/A
N/A
4.6
0.1
2003
124
74
0.88
0.30
19.4
10.0
25.4
29.2
0.049
N/A
N/A
21.8
N/A
N/A
3.8
0.1
2002
125
79
0.86
0.54
20.9
8.1
25.9
31.7
0.039
N/A
N/A
22.4
N/A
N/A
3.6
0.1
2001
132
86
0.93
0.40
20.4
5.2
26.5
34.2
0.048
N/A
N/A
23.7
N/A
N/A
3.4
0.2
2000
134
84
1.02
0.55
22.3
5.0
23.8
30.6
0.054
N/A
N/A
22.8
N/A
N/A
3.6
0.3
Natural disasters
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
6.7%
202.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
5,835%
922.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
39%
16%
Transportation
San Diego has an extensive public transportation system, while commuting is manageable due to developed infrastructure. Wichita, being a smaller city, is car-dependent, but the commute times are shorter given the city's size.
Transport
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
2
0
FAA registered aircraft
852
2
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
33
69
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Bicycle
0.6%
0.3%
Bus
2%
0.5%
Carpooled
9.4%
9.1%
Car alone
81.7%
87%
Ferryboat
0.1%
0%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Railroad
0.5%
0%
Walked
3.6%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Average
27.4 min
21.6 min
Other means
22.7 min
18.7 min
Public transportation
45.7 min
42.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
89.5%
89.1%
In 2 person carpool
7.6%
8.3%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.2%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
San Diego's real estate market is competitive and expensive, with prices well above the national average. However, properties generally appreciate in value, making it a potential investment opportunity. On the contrary, Wichita's housing market is more affordable, making home ownership more attainable.
Neighborhoods
San Diego and Wichita offer a mix of neighborhoods suiting various lifestyles. San Diego boasts coastal communities like La Jolla and Coronado, while Wichita gives residents a more suburban feel with areas like Bel Aire or Eastborough.
Houses and residents
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Houses
555,456
176,357
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.5
Median year apartment built
1980
1974
Median year house/condo built
1977
1978
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.1 years
12.1 years
Houses occupied
521,000 (93.8%)
156,668 (88.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
251,507 (48.3%)
91,527 (58.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
269,493 (51.7%)
65,141 (41.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,096
$1,022
Median monthly housing costs
$2,044
$884
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$957,871
$269,752
Estimated median house or condo value
$768,800
$165,700
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
5.7
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.9
7
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$217,536
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$140,687
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$529,375
$121,965
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$543,091
$117,517
Median house price - mobile homes
$134,064
$87,984
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$219,865
$100,474
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$696,014
$146,455
Median house price - All housing units
$941,291
$210,445
Median house age
42
47
Renting percentage
51.7%
38.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,712.6
1,299.1
House value disparities
23.6%
37.5%
Household income disparities
42.3%
44.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$138,584
$82,935
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$97,588
$60,554
Housing units without a mortgage
2,803 (1.6%)
1,747 (3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,495 (6.9%)
4,222 (7.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
177,643 (98.4%)
56,370 (97%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
694 (0.4%)
321 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,654 (9.2%)
5,142 (8.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
3.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.3%
2.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Diego
Wichita
One, detached
43.4%
65.1%
One, attached
9.9%
5.6%
Two
1.9%
4.6%
3 or 4
6.0%
4.7%
5 to 9
9.3%
3.6%
10 to 19
7.4%
5.3%
20 to 49
6.3%
4.3%
50 or more
14.6%
4.6%
Mobile homes
1.0%
2.0%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
39,709
8,733
State government workers
29,438
7,037
Unpaid family workers
808
256
Industries and Occupations
San Diego's job sector is diverse, with opportunities in healthcare, biotechnology, international trade, and defense sectors. Meanwhile, Wichita is known as the "Air Capital of the World," dominating the aviation industry, in addition to healthcare.
San Diego is home to some of the nation's top hospitals, including UC San Diego Health and Scripps Mercy Hospital. Wichita also offers quality health care, with hospitals like the Wesley Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi Hospital.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Diego
Wichita
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Diego is well-developed with modern infrastructure, from healthcare to transportation. Wichita, while smaller, has been focusing on improving its infrastructure, citing developments like the Eisenhower National Airport and the continual downtown rejuvenation.
Infrastructure
Type
San Diego
Wichita
Hospitals
26
24
TV stations
13
13
Arenas or stadiums
4
1
Bank branches located here
255
138
Bank institutions located here
40
34
Main business address for public companies
92
5
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Diego
Wichita
1999
3,865
2,785
2000
2,257
2,308
2001
1,754
1,808
2002
2,118
1,227
2003
5,074
1,260
2004
7,646
1,320
2005
8,409
1,401
2006
7,551
1,272
2007
5,741
1,037
2008
2,876
569
2009
1,675
324
Culture and Food
San Diego is famous for its vibrant culture and eclectic food scene, distinguishing itself with its signature Californian cuisines and seafood. Wichita, while having a smaller food scene, still offers a diverse mix of dining options, along with a rich cultural heritage heavily influenced by Native American and Wild West history.
Sports Teams
San Diego hosts the Padres (MLB) and a strong collegiate sports scene at renowned universities. Wichita does not have major professional sports teams but is home to the Wichita Wind Surge, an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, and the shockers of Wichita State University.
San Diego, CA
Wichita, KS
San Diego, CA and 
Wichita, KS : 1,165.7 miles
