Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 38.2 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 70.3% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 2.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 16.9% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $61,860 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 59.2% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Pueblo +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Pueblo +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 39.7% | Pueblo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Pueblo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | 54.5°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | 39.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pueblo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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