By Emily Barnwell

The year 2024 was a BIG one for Wichita! The city celebrated major wins including the opening of 20 new businesses downtown alone and the debut of a stunning riverside amphitheater. There are hundreds of new housing options across the city and an expanding job market in sectors like space, healthcare, aviation, technology and more. Not to mention, Wichita State University and WSU Tech had record-breaking enrollment, with nearly 24,000 students currently enrolled.

Wichita’s success is catching national attention. Check out the region’s latest accolades to see why so many people are choosing to call Wichita home.

Recent Accolades

• Top Metro for First-Time Home Buyers – Zillow 2023
   
• Top 3 Most Affordable U.S. Cities for Working Adults – Site Selection Magazine 2024
   
• No. 4 Best City to Move to in 2024 – Forbes 2024
   
• Third Most Affordable Place to Live – CNBC 2024
   
• No. 5 U.S. City for Pet Owners – Forbes 2024