Providence RI 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)
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
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
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Providence
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Providence
40.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Providence
13.3%
Providence +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Providence
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,214 | 126,103 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 38.2 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 32.8% | 5.3% | Providence + |
| White | 40.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 13.3% | 9.7% | Providence + |
| Asian | 5.9% | 1.8% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 44.3% | 16.9% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Providence
7.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Providence
20.1%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,772 | $55,902 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,694 | $33,290 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $64,538 | $61,860 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.7% | 29.1% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Providence
$429,449
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Providence
41.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,449 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
174
Providence +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Providence
1303
Providence +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 174 | 449 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1303 | 2174 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Providence
19.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Providence
14.6%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Providence
16.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 39.7% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 13.1% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.9% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Providence
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Providence, RI | 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.)
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Providence
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Providence
27.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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