San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Topeka
5.3%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
San Bernardino +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 126,103 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 5.3% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 11.8% | 9.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 1.8% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 16.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
San Bernardino +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $55,902 | San Bernardino + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
San Bernardino +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 39.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | San Bernardino + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Bernardino leads in median household income at $63,988, 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 San Bernardino. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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