McKinney 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)
McKinney, TX
Texas · Population: 148,848
- Median HH Income$71,843
- Median Home Price$487,346
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+18.5%
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
McKinney
148,848
McKinney +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
McKinney
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
McKinney
33.4
McKinney +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
McKinney
21.0%
McKinney +
Topeka
5.3%
White
McKinney
37.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
McKinney
24.7%
McKinney +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
McKinney
3.0%
McKinney +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
McKinney
44.7%
McKinney +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
McKinney
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 148,848 | 126,103 | McKinney + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.2 | McKinney + |
| Foreign Born | 21.0% | 5.3% | McKinney + |
| White | 37.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 24.7% | 9.7% | McKinney + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 1.8% | McKinney + |
| Hispanic | 44.7% | 16.9% | McKinney + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
McKinney
$71,843
McKinney +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
McKinney
$29,291
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
McKinney
$63,758
McKinney +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
McKinney
4.8%
McKinney +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
McKinney
12.4%
McKinney +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
McKinney
18.5%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,843 | $55,902 | McKinney + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,291 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | McKinney + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.9% | McKinney + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 15.6% | McKinney + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.5% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
McKinney
$487,346
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
McKinney
63.2%
McKinney +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $487,346 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% | 59.2% | McKinney + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
442
McKinney +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
McKinney
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | McKinney + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
33.9%
McKinney +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.1%
McKinney +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
McKinney
15.7%
McKinney +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
McKinney
10.9%
McKinney +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
McKinney
18.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
McKinney
9.9%
McKinney +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 39.7% | McKinney + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.1% | McKinney + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.7% | 16.8% | McKinney + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | McKinney + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 16.9% | McKinney + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
64.2°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
McKinney
40.0 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.0 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
McKinney
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
McKinney
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | McKinney, 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
McKinney
35.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | McKinney, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
McKinney leads in median household income at $71,843, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, McKinney is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. McKinney has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, McKinney scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
Compare More Cities
McKinney, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs McKinney, TXChicago, IL vs McKinney, TXHouston, TX vs McKinney, TXMcKinney, TX vs Phoenix, AZMcKinney, TX vs Philadelphia, PA