Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Newark +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Newark
16.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Newark +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 126,103 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.2 | Newark + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 5.3% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 46.7% | 9.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.8% | Newark + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 16.9% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $61,860 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 449 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2174 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.7% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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