Rochester NY 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)
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
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
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rochester
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Rochester
41.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Rochester
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 126,103 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 38.2 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 8.3% | 5.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 41.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 37.5% | 9.7% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 3.2% | 1.8% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 20.0% | 16.9% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rochester
$46,628
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Rochester
$30,451
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Rochester
7.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Rochester
26.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $46,628 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,451 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.9% | 29.1% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rochester
$241,627
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Rochester
37.2%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,627 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
434
Rochester +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rochester
14.3%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rochester
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rochester
16.6%
Rochester +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 39.7% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 11.4% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 16.9% | Rochester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.2°F | 54.5°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.3 in | 39.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rochester
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Rochester
20.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Rochester, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.6 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, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
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