Hartford CT 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)
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Hartford
119,970
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hartford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Hartford
26.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Hartford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,970 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.2 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 23.0% | 5.3% | Hartford + |
| White | 26.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 36.1% | 9.7% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.8% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 44.8% | 16.9% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hartford
$45,300
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Hartford
$27,319
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Hartford
10.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Hartford
25.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hartford
18.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,300 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,319 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,860 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hartford
$199,359
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Hartford
25.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $199,359 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 449 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2174 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
40.4%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hartford
15.8%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hartford
20.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hartford
20.3%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.4% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.3% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.5% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.9% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hartford
45.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.5°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hartford
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hartford
24.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 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, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
Compare More Cities
Hartford, CT vs New York, NYHartford, CT vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hartford, CTHartford, CT vs Houston, TXHartford, CT vs Phoenix, AZHartford, CT vs Philadelphia, PA