Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 126,103 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 5.3% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 29.0% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.8% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $55,902 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $33,290 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 29.1% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA