Charleston WV 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)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Charleston
47,918
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Charleston +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Charleston +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 76.6% | 71.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Charleston +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Charleston +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Charleston +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $55,902 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $33,290 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 29.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $193,522 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 59.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Charleston +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 54.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $64,512, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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