Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Houston
35.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 126,103 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 5.3% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 22.9% | 9.7% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 1.8% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 16.9% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $55,902 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $33,290 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 29.1% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Houston +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.7% | Houston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 16.9% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Houston 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, Houston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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