Austin TX 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Austin
59.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 126,103 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 5.3% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 7.5% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 1.8% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Austin +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $55,902 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $33,290 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Austin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.6% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 29.1% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.7% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.1% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 39.0 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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