Raleigh NC 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)
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
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
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Raleigh
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Raleigh
53.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Raleigh
12.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Raleigh
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 470,763 | 126,103 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.2 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 13.6% | 5.3% | Raleigh + |
| White | 53.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 27.5% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 4.7% | 1.8% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Raleigh
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $82,424 | $55,902 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,948 | $33,290 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.4% | 15.6% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 52.9% | 29.1% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Raleigh
$435,807
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Raleigh
51.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $435,807 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
15.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.9% | 39.7% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 13.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.8% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.9% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
61.1°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Raleigh
46.2 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.1°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Raleigh
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Raleigh
25.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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