Salem OR 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)
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
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
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salem
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Salem
35.7
Salem +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Salem
69.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Salem
1.6%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Salem
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,666 | 126,103 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.2 | Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| White | 69.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 1.6% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.8% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 23.4% | 16.9% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Salem
5.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $71,900 | $55,902 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,477 | $33,290 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,860 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.6% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.4% | 29.1% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salem
$438,754
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Salem
55.7%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $438,754 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.7% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
355
Salem +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salem
3001
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 449 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
41.4%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salem
18.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salem
11.6%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salem
16.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.4% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 16.9% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
53.0°F
Salem +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salem
39.7 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.0°F | 54.5°F | Salem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.7 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salem
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salem
24.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Salem, OR | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.5 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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