Aurora IL 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)
Aurora, IL
Illinois · Population: 24,510
- Median HH Income$62,462
- Median Home Price$320,635
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+13.2%
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
Aurora
24,510
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
39.7
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Aurora
14.1%
Aurora +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Aurora
63.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Aurora
2.6%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Aurora
1.5%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Aurora
37.1%
Aurora +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 24,510 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.3% | Aurora + |
| White | 63.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 2.6% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 37.1% | 16.9% | Aurora + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$62,462
Aurora +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$32,181
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$68,110
Aurora +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
7.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Aurora
15.5%
Aurora +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
13.2%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,462 | $55,902 | Aurora + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,181 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Aurora + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.6% | Aurora + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.2% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$320,635
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
73.6%
Aurora +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $320,635 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.6% | 59.2% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
344
Aurora +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
1842
Aurora +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Aurora + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Aurora + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
35.9%
Aurora +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.4%
Aurora +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
15.9%
Aurora +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
15.2%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
11.7%
Aurora +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.7% | Aurora + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.1% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.8% | Aurora + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.9% | Aurora + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
50.2°F
Aurora +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
37.7 in
Aurora +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.2°F | 54.5°F | Aurora + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 39.0 in | Aurora + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
9.4 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
26.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Aurora, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Aurora leads in median household income at $62,462, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Aurora is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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, Aurora scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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