New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
New York +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
Topeka
5.3%
White
New York
35.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
New York
22.7%
New York +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 126,103 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 38.2 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 5.3% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 22.7% | 9.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 1.8% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $55,902 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $33,290 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 29.1% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
New York +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 39.7% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.1% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 16.8% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.4% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | New York, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, New York 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 York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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