New Rochelle NY 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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 Rochelle
48,198
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Rochelle
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
New Rochelle
40.7
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
New Rochelle
4.6%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
New Rochelle
66.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
New Rochelle
8.0%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
New Rochelle
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,198 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 66.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 17.8% | 9.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 1.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Rochelle
$48,535
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
New Rochelle
$30,033
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
New Rochelle
9.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
New Rochelle
23.7%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Rochelle
22.8%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,535 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,033 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.7% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Rochelle
$920,484
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
New Rochelle
57.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $920,484 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
434
New Rochelle +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | New Rochelle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
10.6%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.5%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
14.9%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.6% | 39.7% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.1% | New Rochelle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.8% | 16.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | New Rochelle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 16.9% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Rochelle
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Rochelle
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Rochelle
20.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | New Rochelle, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.0 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 Rochelle is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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