Milwaukee WI 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)
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
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
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Milwaukee
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Milwaukee
36.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Milwaukee
4.8%
Milwaukee +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Milwaukee
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 126,103 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 38.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.8% | 5.3% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 36.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 38.6% | 9.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 4.8% | 1.8% | Milwaukee + |
| Hispanic | 20.7% | 16.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Milwaukee
$51,888
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Milwaukee
$29,679
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Milwaukee
$61,837
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Milwaukee
5.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Milwaukee
23.3%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Milwaukee
26.6%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,888 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,679 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.6% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Milwaukee
$226,456
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Milwaukee
41.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,456 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 449 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 2174 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
41.8%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.7%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Milwaukee
19.1%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
14.1%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
16.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Milwaukee
17.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.8% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.5°F | 54.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 35.5 in | 39.0 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Milwaukee
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Milwaukee
24.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Milwaukee, WI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. 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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