El Paso 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
Topeka
5.3%
White
El Paso
39.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
El Paso
3.6%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 126,103 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 38.2 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 5.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 3.6% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 16.9% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $55,902 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 59.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
El Paso +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | El Paso + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 39.7% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.9% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | 39.0 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | El Paso, 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
El Paso
25.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, El Paso 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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