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

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%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Duluth
$292,800
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
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

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%

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

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Duluth
N/A
Topeka
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%.

Compare More Cities

About Duluth & Topeka