Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 126,103 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 5.3% | Cincinnati + |
| White | 49.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 38.7% | 9.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $33,290 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 29.1% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 54.5°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 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, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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