Flint MI 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
Flint +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Flint
34.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 38.2 | Flint + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 34.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 56.6% | 9.7% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $193,522 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.5% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | 54.5°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | 39.0 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Flint
25.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Flint, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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