Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.2 | Broken Arrow + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 5.3% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 5.9% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 1.8% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $55,902 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $33,290 | Broken Arrow + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 15.6% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 29.1% | Broken Arrow + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 59.2% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 449 | Broken Arrow + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Broken Arrow +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 39.7% | Broken Arrow + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Broken Arrow + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 14.5% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | Broken Arrow + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Broken Arrow leads in median household income at $85,220, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Broken Arrow is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Broken Arrow has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Broken Arrow scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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