Hillsboro 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)

Hillsboro, OR

Oregon · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$522,671
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

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
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
5.3%
White
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hillsboro
$63,691
Hillsboro +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
29.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hillsboro
$522,671
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
59.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
355
Hillsboro +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
3001
Topeka
2174
Topeka +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
32.9%
Hillsboro +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
9.1%
Hillsboro +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hillsboro
17.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
9.5%
Hillsboro +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
15.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hillsboro
10.4%
Hillsboro +
Topeka
16.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hillsboro
51.8°F
Hillsboro +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hillsboro
39.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hillsboro
9.0 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hillsboro
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hillsboro
N/A
Topeka
18.3 min

Which City is Right for You?

Topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Hillsboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hillsboro scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Hillsboro & Topeka