Lansing MI 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)
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
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
Lansing
112,546
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lansing
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lansing
10.1%
Lansing +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Lansing
56.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Lansing
5.3%
Lansing +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lansing
12.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Lansing
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,546 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.2 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 10.1% | 5.3% | Lansing + |
| White | 56.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 23.4% | 9.7% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 5.3% | 1.8% | Lansing + |
| Hispanic | 12.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lansing
$52,170
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Lansing
$29,894
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lansing
$58,052
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Lansing
8.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Lansing
19.9%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lansing
29.6%
Lansing +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $52,170 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,894 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.9% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.6% | 29.1% | Lansing + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Lansing
53.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $166,132 | $193,522 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
471
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 2174 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
39.9%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lansing
12.4%
Lansing +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lansing
19.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lansing
16.8%
Lansing +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Lansing + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.4% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 16.9% | Lansing + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lansing
32.2 in
Lansing +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.8°F | 54.5°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.2 in | 39.0 in | Lansing + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lansing
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lansing
21.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Lansing, MI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Lansing. 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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