San Jose, California, and Wichita, Kansas, exhibit significant differences in their lifestyle, cost of living, economic opportunities, and cultural experiences. While San Jose is a thriving tech hub known for its multicultural vibe, high living standards, and high-income opportunities, Wichita is cherished for its affordability, hospitality, and relaxed lifestyle. Those looking to relocate or just visit each city need to consider their personal preferences, career ambitions, and lifestyle choices.
Distance between
San Jose, CA and
Wichita, KS : 1,341.4 miles
San Jose's population is larger by 149%. Its population has grown by 88,546 people (9.9%) since 2000. The population of Wichita has grown by 51,415 people (14.9%) during that time.
Starting with San Jose, while it is one of the largest cities in California, it has a relatively low violent crime rate for its size. However, property crime has proven to be a concern. On the other hand, Wichita experiences a higher crime rate, with both violent and property crimes surpassing national averages. Safety precautions are important in both cities, but more so in Wichita.
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 1,806 registered sex offenders living in San Jose and 1,438 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Jose is 568 to 1; the ratio in Wichita is 271 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in San Jose than in Wichita.
Cost of Living
Living in San Jose is significantly more expensive than Wichita, considered one of the most expensive cities in the United States, mainly due to housing costs. Wichita, in contrast, is known for its affordability with a cost of living well below the national average.
Income Tax
California, where San Jose is located, imposes a state income tax that can be quite high, depending on income. Kansas, where Wichita is located, also levies a state income tax, but at a generally lower rate.
Property Tax
San Jose property tax rates are lower than the national average while offering high property values. Wichita also benefits from property tax rates below the national average.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in San Jose is relatively high at 9.25%, while Wichita has a lower sales tax rate of 7.5%.
Income
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Estimated median household income
$126,377
$56,293
Estimated per capita income
$57,357
$30,942
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
127.4
81.7
If you make $50,000 in Wichita, you will have to make $77,968 in San Jose to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Jose is located in the Santa Clara Valley, offering beautiful landscapes and numerous outdoor activities. Wichita is located in the Great Plains and has a slightly hilly topography with various rivers flowing through.
San Jose has a highly regarded education system, including top-ranked universities such as San Jose State University and Santa Clara University. In Wichita, the education system is robust with institutions like Wichita State University offering various programs.
San Jose, being part of Silicon Valley, is home to numerous tech companies and startups. High income is a norm here due to the tech boom. Wichita is known as the "Air Capital of the World", having a strong manufacturing and aviation industry.
Biggest Employers
In San Jose, the largest employers are tech giants like Cisco Systems, eBay, and Adobe Systems. In Wichita, top employers include Spirit Aerosystems, Koch Industries, and Via Christi Health.
There were 299 building permits issued in San Jose in 2012 (216 more than in 2011) compared to 760 building permits issued in Wichita in 2012 (351 more than in 2011).
In San Jose (Santa Clara County), 70.0% voted for Democrats and 27.1% 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
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
2020
72.7%
42.9%
25.2%
54.7%
2.1%
2.4%
2016
72.7%
36.3%
20.6%
54.4%
6.7%
9.3%
2012
70.0%
39.4%
27.1%
58.3%
2.9%
2.3%
2008
69.6%
42.5%
28.6%
55.2%
1.8%
2.3%
2004
64.3%
36.6%
34.8%
62.3%
0.9%
1.2%
2000
60.7%
38.4%
34.4%
57.5%
4.9%
4.1%
1996
56.9%
35.8%
32.2%
56.1%
11.0%
8.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.1%
15.0%
6.0%
5.9%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.1%
0.2%
1.8%
0.7%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.9%
5.9%
7.7%
9.9%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.5%
0.5%
2.3%
1.3%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
2.6%
1.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
0.5%
2.3%
1.6%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.2%
1.4%
1.4%
1.8%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.6%
1.1%
3.1%
SALVATION ARMY
0.1%
0.4%
0.4%
0.4%
Weather
San Jose enjoys a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, making it appealing year-round for residents and tourists alike. Conversely, Wichita experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters.
Weather and climate
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Temperature - Average
60.9°F
56.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
77.3%
73.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
35.5%
34%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
87%
84%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51.6%
50%
Precipitation - Yearly average
16.1 in
30.9 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
30 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
27.4%
21.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
73.8%
70.2%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
23%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
77.4%
76%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
54.4%
56%
Wind speed - Average
10.3 mph
12.5 mph
Average climate in San Jose, California
Average climate in Wichita, Kansas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
San Jose
Wichita
2018
94
67
0.49
N/A
14.5
7.8
22.2
28.1
0.006
N/A
25.8
N/A
12.5
6.2
0.2
1.1
2017
91
66
0.50
N/A
14.6
6.8
23.5
29.1
0.004
N/A
22.1
N/A
10.2
6.9
0.2
1.2
2016
69
65
0.47
N/A
13.7
6.8
22.4
27.6
0.003
N/A
21.5
N/A
8.8
N/A
0.2
0.6
2015
84
61
0.52
N/A
15.4
7.2
22.3
28.4
0.004
N/A
21.1
N/A
9.2
N/A
0.3
1.0
2014
83
70
0.40
N/A
13.9
7.7
21.5
30.0
0.004
N/A
23.4
N/A
8.2
N/A
0.2
1.4
2013
90
66
0.41
0.25
15.2
8.9
20.8
30.1
0.005
N/A
20.8
N/A
12.4
N/A
0.3
0.6
2012
74
91
0.35
0.26
13.3
9.9
21.8
32.2
0.003
N/A
24.1
N/A
10.1
N/A
0.3
1.2
2011
83
89
0.37
0.22
14.8
12.2
20.6
33.5
0.003
N/A
22.6
N/A
12.3
N/A
0.3
1.5
2010
88
73
0.35
0.45
14.4
8.3
20.4
32.0
0.004
N/A
20.2
N/A
9.0
N/A
0.4
0.7
2009
89
69
0.40
0.31
14.7
8.2
18.2
29.3
0.004
N/A
19.9
N/A
9.3
N/A
0.3
0.8
2008
100
66
0.45
0.36
16.7
8.9
20.6
24.0
N/A
N/A
20.9
N/A
12.6
N/A
N/A
1.7
2007
92
70
0.44
0.47
16.6
9.5
20.0
21.7
0.009
N/A
21.2
N/A
11.1
N/A
N/A
1.4
2006
100
82
0.46
0.46
18.0
10.0
21.8
29.7
N/A
N/A
22.3
N/A
11.1
N/A
N/A
0.4
2005
95
80
0.68
0.55
18.6
11.4
20.0
27.8
N/A
N/A
21.5
N/A
11.6
N/A
N/A
0.3
2004
98
60
0.63
0.37
18.5
9.3
20.4
27.8
N/A
N/A
20.2
N/A
9.9
N/A
N/A
0.1
2003
87
74
0.73
0.30
20.6
10.0
19.1
29.2
N/A
N/A
21.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
2002
78
79
0.65
0.54
19.5
8.1
18.0
31.7
0.006
N/A
22.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
2001
75
86
0.61
0.40
18.5
5.2
16.8
34.2
0.008
N/A
23.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.2
2000
65
84
0.66
0.55
18.9
5.0
15.6
30.6
0.009
N/A
22.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.3
Natural disasters
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
9%
202.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
7,785.3%
922.9%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
16%
Transportation
San Jose's transportation system is extensive. The city boasts an international airport, broad network of buses, light rail, and is a hub for major freeways. Wichita, while having a reliable public transportation system, leans heavily towards car ownership due to its spread-out nature.
Transport
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
3
0
FAA registered aircraft
553
2
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
13
69
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Bicycle
1%
0.3%
Bus
1.1%
0.5%
Carpooled
11.4%
9.1%
Car alone
80.5%
87%
Motorcycle
0.2%
0.1%
Railroad
0.2%
0%
Subway
0.2%
0%
Walked
3.3%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Average
29.2 min
21.6 min
Other means
27.9 min
18.7 min
Public transportation
48.5 min
42.3 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Average
1.2
1.2
Drove alone
87.3%
89.1%
In 2 person carpool
8.9%
8.3%
In 3 person carpool
1.9%
1.6%
In 4 person carpool
1.1%
0.5%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.6%
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
Real estate in San Jose is significantly pricier than in Wichita. San Jose's high housing costs reflect its economic prosperity, while Wichita's affordable real estate is part of its low cost of living.
Neighborhoods
San Jose offers diverse neighborhoods from affluent Saratoga to the cultural hub of Japantown. Wichita provides a combination of urban and suburban living with neighborhoods like Riverside and Old Town offering unique character and historical charm.
Houses and residents
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Houses
340,561
176,357
Average household size (people)
3.1
2.5
Median year apartment built
1979
1974
Median year house/condo built
1973
1978
Length of stay in the house since moving in
15.6 years
12.1 years
Houses occupied
322,881 (94.8%)
156,668 (88.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
179,797 (55.7%)
91,527 (58.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
143,084 (44.3%)
65,141 (41.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$3,214
$1,022
Median monthly housing costs
$2,463
$884
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$1,197,016
$269,752
Estimated median house or condo value
Over $1,000,000
$165,700
Median numbers of rooms
4.9
5.7
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.6
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
7
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$217,536
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$753,788
$140,687
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$680,453
$121,965
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$688,625
$117,517
Median house price - mobile homes
$240,963
$87,984
Median house price - occupied boats, rvs, vans etc.
$55,872
$100,474
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$892,629
$146,455
Median house price - All housing units
Over $1,000,000
$210,445
Median house age
45
47
Renting percentage
41.5%
38.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,947.6
1,299.1
House value disparities
21.2%
37.5%
Household income disparities
38.3%
44.1%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$197,583
$82,935
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$103,711
$60,554
Housing units without a mortgage
2,632 (2.1%)
1,747 (3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
13,499 (10.6%)
4,222 (7.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
124,224 (97.9%)
56,370 (97%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
346 (0.3%)
321 (0.6%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,249 (12.8%)
5,142 (8.8%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
14
10
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
3
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1.2%
3.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
2.6%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Jose
Wichita
One, detached
50.9%
65.1%
One, attached
11.5%
5.6%
Two
1.1%
4.6%
3 or 4
5.0%
4.7%
5 to 9
5.1%
3.6%
10 to 19
4.5%
5.3%
20 to 49
4.5%
4.3%
50 or more
14.2%
4.6%
Mobile homes
3.1%
2.0%
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.
0.1%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
28,517
8,733
State government workers
10,222
7,037
Unpaid family workers
472
256
Industries and Occupations
San Jose's primary industries are technology, software services, and computer hardware. In contrast, Wichita centers on manufacturing, particularly aviation, but also hosts a diverse range of sectors.
San Jose's healthcare system ranks among the top in the nation, benefitting from proximity to world-class healthcare institutions. Wichita's healthcare system offers a wide range of services, with several reputable hospitals serving the region.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Jose
Wichita
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Infrastructure in San Jose is well-developed with smart city projects underway. Wichita also has reliable infrastructure, but with less focus on tech-driven city developments.
Infrastructure
Type
San Jose
Wichita
Hospitals
20
24
TV stations
9
13
Arenas or stadiums
2
1
Bank branches located here
145
138
Bank institutions located here
25
34
Main business address for public companies
74
5
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
21
0
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Jose
Wichita
1999
3,839
2,785
2000
2,577
2,308
2001
1,953
1,808
2002
1,908
1,227
2003
3,578
1,260
2004
5,489
1,320
2005
6,994
1,401
2006
6,324
1,272
2007
4,298
1,037
2008
2,419
569
2009
1,631
324
Culture and Food
San Jose's multicultural population cultivates a vibrant and diverse food scene. Wichita, while less diverse, prides itself on local and international culinary conceptions, with a particular emphasis on barbecue.
Sports Teams
San Jose supports many major sports teams, including the San Jose Sharks (NHL), and the Earthquakes (MLS). However, Wichita, while not hosting any major league teams, has a fervent local sports scene with the Wichita State University Shockers being a source of local pride.
San Jose, CA
Wichita, KS
San Jose, CA and 
Wichita, KS : 1,341.4 miles
