Kent WA 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)
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
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
Kent
84,389
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Kent
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Kent
67.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Kent
2.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Kent
1.9%
Kent +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Kent
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 84,389 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 38.2 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.3% | Kent + |
| White | 67.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 2.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.8% | Kent + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 16.9% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Kent
$72,867
Kent +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Kent
$35,662
Kent +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Kent
4.9%
Kent +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Kent
13.9%
Kent +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Kent
27.0%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $72,867 | $55,902 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,662 | $33,290 | Kent + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Kent + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.9% | 15.6% | Kent + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.0% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Kent
$657,911
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $657,911 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.8% | 59.2% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
383
Kent +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Kent
3409
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Kent
17.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.6%
Kent +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Kent
15.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Kent
10.3%
Kent +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.7% | 39.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.1% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | Kent + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 16.9% | Kent + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Kent
39.1 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2°F | 54.5°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.1 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Kent
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Kent
23.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Kent, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kent leads in median household income at $72,867, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Kent has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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