Chula Vista CA 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)
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
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
Chula Vista
8,933
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chula Vista
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Chula Vista
42.9
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Chula Vista
65.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Chula Vista
0.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Chula Vista
0.7%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Chula Vista
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,933 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 5.3% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 65.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 0.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 36.5% | 16.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chula Vista
26.9%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,238 | $55,902 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,562 | $33,290 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.2% | 4.9% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.5% | 15.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.9% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chula Vista
$849,245
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,245 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.4% | 59.2% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
12.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
15.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 39.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.1% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.8% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 16.9% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.5°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.8 in | 39.0 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chula Vista
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chula Vista
26.9 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Chula Vista, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.9 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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