Des Moines IA 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)
Des Moines, IA
Iowa · Population: 212,464
- Median HH Income$63,966
- Median Home Price$210,703
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+29.0%
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
Des Moines
212,464
Des Moines +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Des Moines
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Des Moines
34.6
Des Moines +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Des Moines
14.0%
Des Moines +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Des Moines
66.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Des Moines
12.0%
Des Moines +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Des Moines
6.2%
Des Moines +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Des Moines
16.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Des Moines
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 126,103 | Des Moines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 38.2 | Des Moines + |
| Foreign Born | 14.0% | 5.3% | Des Moines + |
| White | 66.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 12.0% | 9.7% | Des Moines + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.8% | Des Moines + |
| Hispanic | 16.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Des Moines
$63,966
Des Moines +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Des Moines
$36,459
Des Moines +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Des Moines
$61,226
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Des Moines
5.8%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Des Moines
14.9%
Des Moines +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Des Moines
29.0%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,966 | $55,902 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,459 | $33,290 | Des Moines + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.9% | 15.6% | Des Moines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.0% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Des Moines
$210,703
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Des Moines
60.5%
Des Moines +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,703 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 59.2% | Des Moines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
296
Des Moines +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Des Moines
1452
Des Moines +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 449 | Des Moines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 2174 | Des Moines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
39.4%
Des Moines +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
11.8%
Des Moines +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Des Moines
19.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
10.6%
Des Moines +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
19.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Des Moines
16.4%
Des Moines +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 39.7% | Des Moines + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.1% | Des Moines + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Des Moines + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 16.9% | Des Moines + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
49.9°F
Des Moines +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Des Moines
35.6 in
Des Moines +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 54.5°F | Des Moines + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.6 in | 39.0 in | Des Moines + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Des Moines
10.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Des Moines
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Des Moines
21.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Des Moines, IA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Des Moines leads in median household income at $63,966, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Des Moines is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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, Des Moines scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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