Springfield IL 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)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
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
Springfield
113,714
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 38.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 70.5% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 19.8% | 9.7% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $55,902 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $33,290 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $61,860 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 29.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $193,522 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 59.2% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 449 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2174 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.4% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.9% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 39.0 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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