Odessa TX 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)
Odessa, TX
Texas · Population: 114,080
- Median HH Income$73,030
- Median Home Price$253,423
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
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
Odessa
114,080
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Odessa
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Odessa
31.0
Odessa +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Odessa
14.5%
Odessa +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Odessa
51.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Odessa
6.8%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Odessa
1.9%
Odessa +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Odessa
61.2%
Odessa +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Odessa
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 38.2 | Odessa + |
| Foreign Born | 14.5% | 5.3% | Odessa + |
| White | 51.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 6.8% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 1.8% | Odessa + |
| Hispanic | 61.2% | 16.9% | Odessa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Odessa
$73,030
Odessa +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Odessa
$35,655
Odessa +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Odessa
$63,758
Odessa +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Odessa
5.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Odessa
14.4%
Odessa +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Odessa
18.3%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,030 | $55,902 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,655 | $33,290 | Odessa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Odessa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 15.6% | Odessa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 18.3% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Odessa
$253,423
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Odessa
59.2%
Odessa +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $253,423 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 59.2% | Odessa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
442
Odessa +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Odessa
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Odessa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
39.4%
Odessa +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Odessa
12.9%
Odessa +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Odessa
18.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Odessa
25.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Odessa
18.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Odessa
14.0%
Odessa +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.4% | 39.7% | Odessa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Odessa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 25.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Odessa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
65.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Odessa
13.5 in
Odessa +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.5 in | 39.0 in | Odessa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Odessa
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Odessa
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Odessa
23.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Odessa, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Odessa leads in median household income at $73,030, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Odessa is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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, Odessa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.4%.
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