Albany NY 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, NY
New York · Population: 100,081
- Median HH Income$59,485
- Median Home Price$324,670
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+44.9%
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
100,081
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Albany
31.9
Albany +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Albany
15.0%
Albany +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Albany
53.0%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Albany
26.6%
Albany +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Albany
7.9%
Albany +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Albany
10.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,081 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 15.0% | 5.3% | Albany + |
| White | 53.0% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 26.6% | 9.7% | Albany + |
| Asian | 7.9% | 1.8% | Albany + |
| Hispanic | 10.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$59,485
Albany +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Albany
$35,851
Albany +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$77,425
Albany +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Albany
8.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Albany
23.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
44.9%
Albany +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,485 | $55,902 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,851 | $33,290 | Albany + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.9% | 29.1% | Albany + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$324,670
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Albany
37.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,670 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
434
Albany +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1736
Albany +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
32.9%
Albany +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
9.9%
Albany +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
17.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
7.7%
Albany +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
18.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
12.3%
Albany +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.9% | 39.7% | Albany + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.1% | Albany + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.7% | 11.4% | Albany + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 16.9% | Albany + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
48.3°F
Albany +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
39.4 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.5°F | Albany + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.4 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
8.1 µg/m³
Albany +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Albany + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
21.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Albany, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Albany leads in median household income at $59,485, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Albany has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Albany scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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