Evansville vs Wichita
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Evansville
Wichita
The Verdict
Evansville is 4.8% less expensive than Wichita overall. A household earning $75,000 in Evansville would need approximately $78,750 in Wichita to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Evansville has the same purchasing power as $78,750 in Wichita.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wichita equals $71,429 in Evansville.
Living in Evansville vs Wichita
Housing Costs
Evansville's housing index of 55 is lower Wichita's 62, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $165,000. The $5,000 difference in home prices means roughly $324 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $850/mo in Evansville compared to $900/mo in Wichita, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 95 in Evansville and 95 in Wichita. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Evansville vs $451/month in Wichita. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 105 in Evansville and 93 in Wichita. Monthly utility bills average approximately $420 in Evansville vs $372 in Wichita. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Evansville and 92 in Wichita. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $48,600 in Evansville and $52,428 in Wichita. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,750 and $62,414 respectively. Wichita residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,134/month to housing in Evansville vs $1,223/month in Wichita. In Evansville, median rent of $850/mo fits within this budget. In Wichita, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases