Skyline of Wichita Falls
Cost of Living: 85 105,000

Wichita Falls, TX, US

North Texas city with the Wichita Falls waterfall and Sheppard Air Force Base.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 85

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 88

Affordable

Median Income $48,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.5%

Job market health

Wichita Falls vs US Average

Cost of Living
Wichita Falls: 85
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Wichita Falls: 88
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Unemployment: 3.5%
  • Population: 105,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 34°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: $180,000
  • 1BR Rent: $900/mo

Cost of Living

Wichita Falls's cost of living index is 85 (US average = 100).

CategoryWichita FallsNational AverageDifference
Overall85100-15.0%
Housing88100-12.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$180,000
Median Rent (1BR)$900/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,125/mo
Price per Sq Ft$120

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
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$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Wichita Falls:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$88Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$56Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$22Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$65Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$70Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$25Private service
Total Utilities$326Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Wichita Falls scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
85
Rent
$900
Sunny Days
240
Tax
None
Unemployment
3.5%
Climate
95°F / 34°F
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
Population
105,000
Internet Speed
200 Mbps

Climate

Wichita Falls has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January54°F34°F2.5"
April80°F49°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F52°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Wichita Falls faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Hurricane High Risk

Gulf Coast frequently affected by hurricanes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding and flash floods.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in western regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8.25%
  • Property Tax: ~1.8% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Schools & Education

53/100
School Quality Score
Better than 36% of US cities
?
26
Total Schools
10.1:1
Student:Teacher
91.1%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Wichita Falls, TX, US?

The cost of living index in Wichita Falls is 85, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Wichita Falls?

The median home price in Wichita Falls is $180,000. The housing index is 88.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Wichita Falls is approximately $900/mo.

Does Wichita Falls, TX have income tax?

Wichita Falls is in TX, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Wichita Falls?

Wichita Falls enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 34°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.