Kansas City 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)
Kansas City, MO
Missouri · Population: 508,233
- Median HH Income$67,449
- Median Home Price$253,319
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
508,233
Kansas City +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kansas City
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Kansas City
35.7
Kansas City +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Kansas City
8.5%
Kansas City +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Kansas City
57.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Kansas City
25.8%
Kansas City +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Kansas City
2.7%
Kansas City +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Kansas City
12.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Kansas City
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 508,233 | 126,103 | Kansas City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.2 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 8.5% | 5.3% | Kansas City + |
| White | 57.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 25.8% | 9.7% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 1.8% | Kansas City + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kansas City
$67,449
Kansas City +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Kansas City
$40,112
Kansas City +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kansas City
$58,527
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Kansas City
4.7%
Kansas City +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Kansas City
14.6%
Kansas City +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kansas City
37.8%
Kansas City +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,449 | $55,902 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,112 | $33,290 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.6% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.1% | Kansas City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kansas City
$253,319
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Kansas City
54.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,319 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
501
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kansas City
2418
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
38.5%
Kansas City +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
12.0%
Kansas City +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kansas City
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
10.6%
Kansas City +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
16.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kansas City
15.6%
Kansas City +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.5% | 39.7% | Kansas City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.1% | Kansas City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Kansas City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 16.9% | Kansas City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
54.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kansas City
38.9 in
Kansas City +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.9 in | 39.0 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kansas City
9.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kansas City
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, 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
Kansas City
23.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Kansas City, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $67,449, 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 Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kansas City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.5%.
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