Brownsville TX 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)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Brownsville
188,023
Brownsville +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Brownsville +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 126,103 | Brownsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 38.2 | Brownsville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 5.3% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 0.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 16.9% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 59.2% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Brownsville +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Brownsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 16.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.9% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 39.0 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Brownsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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