Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 126,103 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 25.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 67.1% | 9.7% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Birmingham +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 29.1% | Birmingham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $193,522 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.9% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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