Albany GA vs Topeka KS — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Albany
18.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 18.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 76.3% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $193,522 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 449 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2174 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 14.5% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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