Spokane WA 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 126,103 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 38.2 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 5.3% | Spokane + |
| White | 81.0% | 71.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.8% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $55,902 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $33,290 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 15.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.1% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 39.7% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 13.1% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.4% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.9% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | 54.5°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 39.0 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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