Mesa AZ 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)
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
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
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Mesa
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Mesa
11.2%
Mesa +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Mesa
69.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Mesa
4.4%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Mesa
2.5%
Mesa +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Mesa
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 507,478 | 126,103 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 5.3% | Mesa + |
| White | 69.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.4% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 1.8% | Mesa + |
| Hispanic | 26.6% | 16.9% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Mesa
$78,779
Mesa +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Mesa
$39,586
Mesa +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Mesa
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Mesa
10.5%
Mesa +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Mesa
31.5%
Mesa +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,779 | $55,902 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,586 | $33,290 | Mesa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.9% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.5% | 15.6% | Mesa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.5% | 29.1% | Mesa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Mesa
$435,670
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,670 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.3% | 59.2% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
450
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2174 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
30.7%
Mesa +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Mesa
13.0%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Mesa
16.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Mesa
11.4%
Mesa +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 39.7% | Mesa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.8% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Mesa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
71.8°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.8°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.7 in | 39.0 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Mesa
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Mesa
26.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Mesa leads in median household income at $78,779, 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 450 in Mesa. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Mesa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
Compare More Cities
Mesa, AZ vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs Mesa, AZChicago, IL vs Mesa, AZHouston, TX vs Mesa, AZMesa, AZ vs Phoenix, AZMesa, AZ vs Philadelphia, PA