Santa Ana 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)
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
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
Santa Ana
91,535
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Ana
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Santa Ana
42.9
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Santa Ana
66.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Santa Ana
4.9%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Santa Ana
16.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Santa Ana
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,535 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 23.2% | 5.3% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 66.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 4.9% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 1.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 16.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Santa Ana
6.1%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,739 | $55,902 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,657 | $33,290 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.6% | 15.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 68.9% | 29.1% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Ana
$865,610
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Ana
28.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $865,610 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Ana
18.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
20.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
15.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.0% | 39.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 16.9% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.6 in | 39.0 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Santa Ana
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Santa Ana, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.0 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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