Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.2 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 5.3% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.2% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 1.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 16.9% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $55,902 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 15.6% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 59.2% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 39.7% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.8% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.9% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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