Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Huntsville +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Huntsville +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Huntsville +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 126,103 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.2 | Huntsville + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 5.3% | Huntsville + |
| White | 58.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 29.7% | 9.7% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 1.8% | Huntsville + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $55,902 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $33,290 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 15.6% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 29.1% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Huntsville +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 449 | Huntsville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2174 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 16.8% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.5% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 16.9% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Huntsville is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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