Salinas CA 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)
Salinas, CA
California · Population: 161,993
- Median HH Income$89,150
- Median Home Price$751,711
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+15.5%
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
Salinas
161,993
Salinas +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Salinas
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Salinas
32.1
Salinas +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Salinas
36.3%
Salinas +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Salinas
21.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Salinas
1.4%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Salinas
5.7%
Salinas +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Salinas
80.3%
Salinas +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Salinas
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 161,993 | 126,103 | Salinas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 38.2 | Salinas + |
| Foreign Born | 36.3% | 5.3% | Salinas + |
| White | 21.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 1.4% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 1.8% | Salinas + |
| Hispanic | 80.3% | 16.9% | Salinas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Salinas
$89,150
Salinas +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Salinas
$28,813
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Salinas
$77,230
Salinas +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Salinas
4.7%
Salinas +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Salinas
14.2%
Salinas +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Salinas
15.5%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $89,150 | $55,902 | Salinas + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,813 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Salinas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | Salinas + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.2% | 15.6% | Salinas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 15.5% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Salinas
$751,711
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Salinas
47.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $751,711 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Salinas
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
32.8%
Salinas +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.4%
Salinas +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Salinas
18.2%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Salinas
22.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Salinas
16.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Salinas
12.9%
Salinas +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.8% | 39.7% | Salinas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.1% | Salinas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.9% | Salinas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
57.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Salinas
15.5 in
Salinas +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 15.5 in | 39.0 in | Salinas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Salinas
7.9 µg/m³
Salinas +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Salinas
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Salinas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Salinas
28.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Salinas, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salinas leads in median household income at $89,150, 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 503 in Salinas. Salinas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Salinas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salinas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.8%.
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