Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 5.3% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.4% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.8% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 16.9% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Gresham +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $55,902 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $33,290 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,860 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 15.6% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 449 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Gresham +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 39.7% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.1% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 11.4% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | Gresham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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