Little Rock AR 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)
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
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
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Little Rock
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Little Rock
36.4
Little Rock +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Little Rock
46.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Little Rock
10.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Little Rock
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 126,103 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 38.2 | Little Rock + |
| Foreign Born | 7.9% | 5.3% | Little Rock + |
| White | 46.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 39.4% | 9.7% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.8% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Little Rock
$53,714
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Little Rock
16.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,583 | $55,902 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,242 | $33,290 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.9% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.0% | 29.1% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Little Rock
$216,863
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Little Rock
54.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $216,863 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
660
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Little Rock
2507
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
40.5%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.1%
Topeka
13.1%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Little Rock
17.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
11.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.5% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.1% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.9% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
62.7°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Little Rock
50.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.7°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Little Rock
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Little Rock
20.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Little Rock, AR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, 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 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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