Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Tucson, AZ
VS
Wichita Falls, TX
🏆 Wichita Falls leads 12 of 23 categories
Tucson
Arizona
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.3
Median Household Income
$52,049
Violent Crime Index
155⚠ High
Population
541,033 ✓ Larger
Wichita Falls
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
88.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$55,584 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
102,482
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Tucson, AZ
Pros
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 55°F
More college-educated — 29.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (588.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3313.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.5% vs 4.4%)
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Wichita Falls, TX
Pros
Homes cost $89k less ($128,800 vs $218,200)
41% less violent crime than Tucson
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.4%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 88.9)
Households earn $3,535 more per year on average
Cons
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Tucson
Summer Heat
3.0°F warmer
July avg high 100.2°F vs 97.2°F
Wichita Falls
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 88.9 vs 94.3 (100 = US avg)
Wichita Falls
Median Income
$3,535
$55,584 vs $52,049/yr
Wichita Falls
Violent Crime
41% lower
350.3 vs 588.8 per 100k
Wichita Falls
Median Home Value
$89k less
$128,800 vs $218,200
Wichita Falls
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.4% vs 6.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Tucson, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.3 | 88.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $218,200 | $128,800 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $991 | $949 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,049 | $55,584 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High | 4.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min | 14.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.7% ✓ Higher | 6.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 156⚠ High | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High | 92 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.1:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.4% ✓ Higher | 24.2% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 86.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Tucson Unified District (4403) | WICHITA FALLS ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.5°F ✓ Warmer | 54.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 100.2°F ✓ Warmer | 97.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.1" ✓ Drier | 27.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 3.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,033 ✓ Larger | 102,482 |
| Median Age | 33.9 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.9% | 56.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.2% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.2% ✓ More | 14.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Tucson's cost of living index is 94.3 vs Wichita Falls's 88.9 (US average = 100).
Wichita Falls is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Wichita Falls leads 12 of 23 categories. Tucson wins 11 and Wichita Falls wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Tucson to Wichita Falls or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($218,200 vs $128,800 median home), income ($52,049 vs $55,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Tucson, AZ and Wichita Falls, TX are about 725 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.