Laredo TX 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)
Laredo, TX
Texas · Population: 255,949
- Median HH Income$63,264
- Median Home Price$221,806
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Laredo
255,949
Laredo +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Laredo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Laredo
29.7
Laredo +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Laredo
25.4%
Laredo +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Laredo
37.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Laredo
0.5%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Laredo
0.5%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Laredo
95.2%
Laredo +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Laredo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 126,103 | Laredo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 38.2 | Laredo + |
| Foreign Born | 25.4% | 5.3% | Laredo + |
| White | 37.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 0.5% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 95.2% | 16.9% | Laredo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Laredo
$63,264
Laredo +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Laredo
$24,584
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Laredo
$63,758
Laredo +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Laredo
5.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Laredo
20.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Laredo
21.5%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,264 | $55,902 | Laredo + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,584 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Laredo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Laredo
$221,806
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Laredo
63.3%
Laredo +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $221,806 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 59.2% | Laredo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
442
Laredo +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Laredo
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Laredo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
42.2%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.4%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Laredo
17.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Laredo
35.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Laredo
16.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Laredo
13.1%
Laredo +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 35.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.9% | Laredo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
74.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Laredo
20.2 in
Laredo +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.2 in | 39.0 in | Laredo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Laredo
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Laredo
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Laredo
22.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Laredo, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Laredo leads in median household income at $63,264, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Laredo is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. 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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