Pittsburgh 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)
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
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
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Pittsburgh
9.3%
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 303,620 | 126,103 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.2 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 9.3% | 5.3% | Pittsburgh + |
| White | 63.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 22.5% | 9.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 1.8% | Pittsburgh + |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,137 | $55,902 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $43,590 | $33,290 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $61,860 | Pittsburgh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.8% | 29.1% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $240,538 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2174 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pittsburgh
N/A
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Pittsburgh +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | 54.5°F | Pittsburgh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.3 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pittsburgh
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, 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
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Pittsburgh 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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