Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 126,103 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 5.3% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 39.9% | 9.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $55,902 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $33,290 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,860 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 29.1% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2174 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 39.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.5% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.9% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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