Duluth MN 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)
Duluth, MN
Minnesota · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$292,800
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
5.3%
White
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 126,103 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 5.3% | - |
| White | N/A | 71.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.7% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 1.8% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 16.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Duluth
$69,467
Duluth +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $55,902 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $33,290 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,860 | Duluth + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 29.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $292,800 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 59.2% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
284
Duluth +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Duluth
1992
Duluth +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 449 | Duluth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2174 | Duluth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
35.1%
Duluth +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Duluth
10.0%
Duluth +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Duluth
17.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Duluth
7.3%
Duluth +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Duluth
20.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Duluth
15.1%
Duluth +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 39.7% | Duluth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 13.1% | Duluth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 11.4% | Duluth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Duluth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
39.7°F
Duluth +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Duluth
31.0 in
Duluth +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7°F | 54.5°F | Duluth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.0 in | 39.0 in | Duluth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Duluth
8.1 µg/m³
Duluth +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Duluth
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Duluth + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
18.3 min
| Metric | Duluth, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 18.3 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Duluth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Duluth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Duluth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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