Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 126,103 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 38.2 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 5.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 13.4% | 9.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 1.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 16.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $55,902 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $33,290 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 15.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 29.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 449 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 39.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.1% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 39.0 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Oklahoma City, OKLos Angeles, CA vs Oklahoma City, OKChicago, IL vs Oklahoma City, OKHouston, TX vs Oklahoma City, OKOklahoma City, OK vs Phoenix, AZOklahoma City, OK vs Philadelphia, PA