New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
5.3%
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 5.3% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 84.3% | 71.0% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
New Braunfels +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $55,902 | New Braunfels + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 59.2% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
New Braunfels +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 39.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.8% | New Braunfels + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.9% | New Braunfels + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | 39.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Braunfels leads in median household income at $74,643, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Braunfels scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
Compare More Cities
New Braunfels, TX vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Braunfels, TXChicago, IL vs New Braunfels, TXHouston, TX vs New Braunfels, TXNew Braunfels, TX vs Phoenix, AZNew Braunfels, TX vs Philadelphia, PA