Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
Anchorage +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
Anchorage +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 126,103 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 38.2 | Anchorage + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 5.3% | Anchorage + |
| White | 58.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 5.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.8% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
Anchorage +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $55,902 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $33,290 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $61,860 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Anchorage + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.6% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 29.1% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 59.2% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 2174 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
Anchorage +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
Anchorage +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.7% | Anchorage + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.1% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.8% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 16.9% | Anchorage + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
Anchorage +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
Anchorage +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | 54.5°F | Anchorage + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | 39.0 in | Anchorage + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 780 in Anchorage. Anchorage has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anchorage scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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