2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Wichita Falls

Texas (TX)
Best for: Households seeking lower housing costs and short local commutes
Wichita Falls TX 2027 livability
Medium City
2027 CITY CLASSMedium City100,000–299,999 residents
Modern Livability72.6/ 100
AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population101,951
Median Home$156,800
Median Rent$1,022
Median Household Income$60,177
Cost of LivingRPP 89.5 (US=100; BEA 2024; metro area)
Average Commute14.3 min (ACS 2020-2024)
Unemployment3.8% (ACS 2020-2024; civilian labor force)
Metro AreaWichita Falls, TX
2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

72.6overall
Housing & Financial Reality95.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living95.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability65.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity69.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness79.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place65.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion64.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape69.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging73.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment48.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture68.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity73.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionACS average one-way commute: 14.3 minutes (2020-2024, excluding workers at home). Workplace location and departure time still determine individual travel. This is a commute measure, not a live traffic-delay index.
Weekend EscapeMunicipal parks, trails and sports facilities provide local recreation. Regional trips depend on travel time and seasonal conditions.
WalkabilityCitywide Walk Score 29/100 (directory checked October 2026). Many errands require a car; selected centers may be more walkable.
Airport AccessWichita Falls Regional Airport (SPS) is a regional air-travel option. Check the airport for current destinations; no drive-time estimate is assumed.
Outdoor AccessMunicipal parks, trails and sports facilities provide local recreation.
Healthcare AccessUnited Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls provides a local or nearby hospital option. Check insurance networks, service availability and specialist access individually.
Air QualityAir quality changes by day and season. Check AirNow for local ozone and fine-particle conditions, particularly during heat or smoke events; no citywide annual AQI rating is assigned here.
Third Places / Social LifeWichita Falls's parks and recreation facilities provide public gathering spaces. A smaller regional city with a practical, low-density layout and a comparatively short average commute. The mix of libraries, cafes and community activities varies by neighborhood.
EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Broadly stable: -0.1% population change from 2024 to 2025 (same Census vintage). This describes population only, not a forecast.
WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Wichita Falls has 101,951 residents in the Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate and is #329 in the incorporated-place population ranking used for this batch. The ACS 2020-2024 estimates report a median owner-occupied home value of $156,800, median monthly gross rent of $1,022, and median household income of $60,177. These are survey-period estimates, not current listings or asking rents. Municipal parks, trails and sports facilities provide local recreation. Livability scores are provisional editorial assessments for review, not official Census ratings.

REAL LIFE

What living here actually feels like

A smaller regional city with a practical, low-density layout and a comparatively short average commute.

STRENGTHS

Where it shines

Median home value below four times median household income; Relatively short average commute; Regional price level below the U.S. benchmark; Access to United Regional Health Care System in Wichita Falls; Municipal parks, trails and sports facilities provide local recreation.

TRADEOFFS

Where it falls short

Hot summers; severe-weather exposure; limited transit; fewer large-metropolitan amenities.

ALL 2027 RANKINGS

Where Wichita Falls ranks