Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 126,103 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.2 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.3% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 30.1% | 9.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 1.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $55,902 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $33,290 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,860 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 15.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 29.1% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 449 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2174 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 39.7% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 16.9% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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