Livonia 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)

Livonia, MI

Michigan · Population: 94,058

  • Median HH Income$96,317
  • Median Home Price$314,705
  • Unemployment4.5%
  • Bachelor's+40.5%

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
Livonia
94,058
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Livonia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Livonia
45.1
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Livonia
8.2%
Livonia +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Livonia
4.4%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Livonia
4.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Livonia
N/A
Topeka
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Livonia
$58,052
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Livonia
4.5%
Livonia +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
Topeka
29.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Livonia
$314,705
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
Topeka
59.2%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
471
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
Topeka
2174

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Livonia
16.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
Topeka
16.9%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Livonia
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Livonia
25.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +

Which City is Right for You?

Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. Livonia has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.

Compare More Cities

About Livonia & Topeka