Independence MO 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)
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
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
Independence
121,944
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Independence
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Independence
38.4
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Independence
10.8%
Independence +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Independence
1.4%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Independence
12.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Independence
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,944 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 72.2% | 71.0% | Independence + |
| Black | 10.8% | 9.7% | Independence + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 12.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Independence
$31,683
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Independence
$58,527
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Independence
6.0%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Independence
20.9%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,480 | $55,902 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,683 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.3% | 15.6% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.9% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Independence
$210,384
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,384 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.0% | 59.2% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
501
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Independence
2418
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Independence
19.9%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Independence
11.5%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Independence
16.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Independence
18.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.7% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.9% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
54.5°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Independence
43.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 54.5°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Independence
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Independence
25.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. 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, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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