Jackson MS 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)
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
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
Jackson
149,827
Jackson +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jackson
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Jackson
34.7
Jackson +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Jackson
1.5%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Jackson
14.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Jackson
0.3%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Jackson
2.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Jackson
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,827 | 126,103 | Jackson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.2 | Jackson + |
| Foreign Born | 1.5% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 14.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 81.8% | 9.7% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 0.3% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 2.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jackson
$43,238
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Jackson
$26,868
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jackson
$46,995
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Jackson
9.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Jackson
26.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jackson
28.6%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,238 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,868 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $46,995 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.6% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Jackson
48.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $88,100 | $193,522 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jackson
1808
Jackson +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 247 | 449 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1808 | 2174 | Jackson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
46.0%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.4%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jackson
18.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jackson
12.8%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jackson
18.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.0% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.5% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
64.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jackson
54.1 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.1 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jackson
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jackson
21.9 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Jackson, MS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.9 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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