Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Boulder +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Boulder +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 38.2 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 5.3% | Boulder + |
| White | 81.8% | 71.0% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.8% | Boulder + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Boulder +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $55,902 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $33,290 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Boulder + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 29.1% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 39.7% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 13.1% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.9% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Boulder +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 54.5°F | Boulder + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 39.0 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Boulder. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
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