Richmond VA 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)
Richmond, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
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
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Richmond
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Richmond
8.6%
Richmond +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Richmond
43.2%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Richmond
2.1%
Richmond +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Richmond
10.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Richmond
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 126,103 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 5.3% | Richmond + |
| White | 43.2% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 42.0% | 9.7% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 1.8% | Richmond + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Richmond
$62,671
Richmond +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Richmond
$44,249
Richmond +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Richmond
$69,581
Richmond +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Richmond
6.0%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Richmond
18.8%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,671 | $55,902 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,249 | $33,290 | Richmond + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $61,860 | Richmond + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 29.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Richmond
$374,265
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Richmond
43.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $374,265 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 449 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2174 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
36.7%
Richmond +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Richmond
12.3%
Richmond +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Richmond
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Richmond
16.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Richmond
13.9%
Richmond +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 39.7% | Richmond + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 13.1% | Richmond + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.4% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.9% | Richmond + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
58.9°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Richmond
43.6 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.6 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Richmond
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Richmond
23.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Richmond leads in median household income at $62,671, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 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). For overall health outcomes, Richmond scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
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