Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Baltimore +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Baltimore +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Baltimore +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 126,103 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.2 | Baltimore + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 5.3% | Baltimore + |
| White | 27.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 60.0% | 9.7% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Baltimore + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $55,902 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $33,290 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $61,860 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 29.1% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $193,522 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 449 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 2174 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 39.7% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.4% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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