Columbia SC 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Columbia +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Columbia +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 126,103 | Columbia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 49.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 39.5% | 9.7% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.8% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $33,290 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 29.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.7% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 13.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 16.9% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbia
18.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 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, Columbia 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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