Minneapolis MN 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)
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
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
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Minneapolis
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Minneapolis
61.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Minneapolis
10.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Minneapolis
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 126,103 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.2 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 14.1% | 5.3% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 61.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 18.3% | 9.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 10.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Minneapolis
5.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Minneapolis
16.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,269 | $55,902 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,605 | $33,290 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,467 | $61,860 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.4% | 29.1% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Minneapolis
$334,719
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Minneapolis
48.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $334,719 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 284 | 449 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1992 | 2174 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Minneapolis
17.1%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
19.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.6% | 39.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.1% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 11.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.9% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 54.5°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 30.6 in | 39.0 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Minneapolis
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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