Los Angeles CA 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
Los Angeles +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 126,103 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.2 | Los Angeles + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 5.3% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 8.5% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 1.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 16.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $55,902 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $33,290 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 29.1% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 39.7% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | 39.0 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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