Plano 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)
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Plano
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Plano
39.3
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Plano
53.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Plano
9.0%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Plano
16.2%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Plano
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Plano, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 126,103 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.3 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 28.7% | 5.3% | Plano + |
| White | 53.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.0% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 22.6% | 1.8% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 16.2% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,649 | $55,902 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,753 | $33,290 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $61,860 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.9% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 15.6% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 29.1% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Plano
$507,575
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Plano
56.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,575 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
442
Plano +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Plano
2339
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 449 | Plano + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Plano
16.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Plano, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 39.7% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.1% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.0% | 16.8% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.4% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 16.9% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Plano
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Plano, 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.)
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Plano
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Plano, 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
Plano
27.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Plano, TX | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Plano is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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