Pasadena 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)
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Pasadena
125,983
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pasadena
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Pasadena
36.5
Pasadena +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Pasadena
45.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Pasadena
18.1%
Pasadena +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Pasadena
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,983 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.2 | Pasadena + |
| Foreign Born | 19.3% | 5.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 18.1% | 9.7% | Pasadena + |
| Asian | 17.0% | 1.8% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 25.4% | 16.9% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $112,470 | $55,902 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,845 | $33,290 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% | 4.9% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.2% | 15.6% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 29.1% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pasadena
$218,978
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $218,978 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 76.6% | 59.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
442
Pasadena +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pasadena
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Pasadena + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
39.1%
Pasadena +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pasadena
17.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
32.1%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
17.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pasadena
14.6%
Pasadena +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.1% | 39.7% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 32.1% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 16.9% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pasadena
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | 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.)
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pasadena
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
36.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Pasadena, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Pasadena is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.1%.
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