Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Lexington
69.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Lexington
14.4%
Lexington +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 126,103 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 5.3% | Lexington + |
| White | 69.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 14.4% | 9.7% | Lexington + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 1.8% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $55,902 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $33,290 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 29.1% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 449 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 2174 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
55.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 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).
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