Kansas City KS 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)
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
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
Kansas City
154,776
Kansas City +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Kansas City
44.0%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Kansas City
5.3%
Kansas City +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 126,103 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 18.6% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 44.0% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 20.4% | 9.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 35.0% | 16.9% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$28,059
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$61,860
Topeka
$61,860
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
5.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
17.9%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
20.2%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,183 | $55,902 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,059 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $61,860 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.2% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$202,558
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $202,558 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 59.2% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
449
Topeka
449
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2174
Topeka
2174
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 449 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2174 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
41.2%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
14.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
17.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
18.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.2% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 39.0 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kansas City
23.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, KS | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, 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 449 in Kansas City. 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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