Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Boise +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Topeka
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Boise +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Boise +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 126,103 | Boise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 5.3% | Boise + |
| White | 83.6% | 71.0% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 1.8% | Boise + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $55,902 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $33,290 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.9% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.6% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 29.1% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 59.2% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 449 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 2174 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Boise +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 54.5°F | Boise + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 39.0 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Boise, ID | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Boise, ID vs New York, NYBoise, ID vs Los Angeles, CABoise, ID vs Chicago, ILBoise, ID vs Houston, TXBoise, ID vs Phoenix, AZBoise, ID vs Philadelphia, PA