Cleveland 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)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Cleveland +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 126,103 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.2 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.3% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 46.8% | 9.7% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.8% | Cleveland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $193,522 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Cleveland +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Cleveland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Cleveland +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | 54.5°F | Cleveland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 39.0 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Cleveland, 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
Cleveland
24.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland 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, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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