Evansville IN 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)
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
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
Evansville
116,441
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Evansville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Evansville
38.1
Evansville +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Evansville
3.9%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Evansville
13.5%
Evansville +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Evansville
1.1%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Evansville
4.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Evansville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 116,441 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.2 | Evansville + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 77.1% | 71.0% | Evansville + |
| Black | 13.5% | 9.7% | Evansville + |
| Asian | 1.1% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 4.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Evansville
$52,251
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Evansville
$31,236
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Evansville
$58,697
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Evansville
5.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Evansville
18.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Evansville
22.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,251 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,236 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Evansville
$200,657
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Evansville
53.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $200,657 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 449 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 2174 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
40.0%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Evansville
13.8%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Evansville
19.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Evansville
9.6%
Evansville +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Evansville
15.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Evansville
18.6%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.0% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Evansville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.6% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
60.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Evansville
46.8 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.8 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Evansville
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Evansville
20.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Evansville, IN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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