Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 126,103 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.2 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 5.3% | Corpus Christi + |
| White | 54.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Corpus Christi + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 16.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $55,902 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $33,290 | Corpus Christi + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Corpus Christi + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Topeka
39.7%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.7% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 16.9% | Corpus Christi + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Corpus Christi +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 39.0 in | Corpus Christi + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Corpus Christi leads in median household income at $66,325, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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