Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Memphis
25.0%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 126,103 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 5.3% | Memphis + |
| White | 25.0% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 62.9% | 9.7% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $193,522 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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