New Haven CT 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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 Haven
132,893
New Haven +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
Topeka
5.3%
White
New Haven
36.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 126,103 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 5.3% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 30.6% | 9.7% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.8% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 16.9% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
New Haven +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $33,290 | New Haven + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,860 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 29.1% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 449 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2174 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
New Haven +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 39.7% | New Haven + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.5% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.9% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | 54.5°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 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, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Haven scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
Compare More Cities
New Haven, CT vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Haven, CTChicago, IL vs New Haven, CTHouston, TX vs New Haven, CTNew Haven, CT vs Phoenix, AZNew Haven, CT vs Philadelphia, PA