Garland 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)
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
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
Garland
245,298
Garland +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Garland
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Garland
34.7
Garland +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Garland
37.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Garland
15.3%
Garland +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Garland
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 126,103 | Garland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.2 | Garland + |
| Foreign Born | 31.2% | 5.3% | Garland + |
| White | 37.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 15.3% | 9.7% | Garland + |
| Asian | 11.2% | 1.8% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 45.0% | 16.9% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Garland
$31,477
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Garland
$63,758
Garland +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Garland
4.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Garland
25.0%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,717 | $55,902 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,477 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Garland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 15.6% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Garland
$289,605
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,605 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.6% | 59.2% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
442
Garland +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Garland
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Garland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Garland
17.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Garland
22.6%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Garland
16.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.6% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
69.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Garland
49.5 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 69.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.5 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Garland
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Garland, 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
Garland
32.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Garland, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Garland 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, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Garland, TX vs New York, NYGarland, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Garland, TXGarland, TX vs Houston, TXGarland, TX vs Phoenix, AZGarland, TX vs Philadelphia, PA