High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Topeka
5.3%
White
High Point
46.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 38.2 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 5.3% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 32.7% | 9.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.8% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $55,902 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $33,290 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.6% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 29.1% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
High Point +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
High Point +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 39.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | High Point, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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