San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Topeka
5.3%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 126,103 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 5.3% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 5.1% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 1.8% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $55,902 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $33,290 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 15.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 29.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 39.7% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 13.1% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 16.8% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 11.4% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.9% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 39.0 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Francisco
33.9 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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