Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 126,103 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 5.3% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 2.2% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 1.8% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $55,902 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $33,290 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.9% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 15.6% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 29.1% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 39.7% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 13.1% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 16.8% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 11.4% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 16.9% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Bellevue +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Bellevue + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Bellevue has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
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