Manhattan receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Manhattan
Wichita Falls
Opportunity
44 · Bottom 26%
vs33 · Bottom 11%
Growth
50 · Top 49%
vs31 · Bottom 22%
Climate
61 · Bottom 31%
vs55 · Bottom 12%
Physical resilience
61 · Top 43%
vs65 · Top 38%
Housing affordability
92 · Bottom 43%
vs99 · Top 30%
Access
70 · Bottom 38%
vs68 · Bottom 35%
Economic stability
60 · Top 38%
vs49 · Bottom 48%
Measured values
| Metric | Manhattan | Wichita Falls | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,965 | 149,358 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $65,469 | $65,379 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,818 | $34,590 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 73/sq mi | 57/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $223,700 | $157,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,063 | $995 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 52.0% | 64.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | 4.7% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.3% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 40.4% | 24.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 15.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 438 | 187 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.3 | 1.3 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -0.5% | -9.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 92°F | 97°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 18°F | 30°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 32.2" | 27.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 53 mi | 55 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.9 min | 17.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 27.3 | 36.6 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Manhattan
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, heat wave.
Wichita Falls
Elevated or high exposure: wildfire, drought.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Manhattan
63
Your Score
60
Area Score
Wichita Falls
57
Your Score
55
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Manhattan, KS Metro Area · Wichita Falls, TX Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology