Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Concord
54.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.2 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 5.3% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 22.1% | 9.7% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 1.8% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Concord +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Concord +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $55,902 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $33,290 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.9% | Concord + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 15.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 29.1% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 59.2% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Concord +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Concord +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Concord +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.7% | Concord + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.8% | Concord + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Concord + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.9% | Concord + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Concord leads in median household income at $84,752, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Concord has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Concord scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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