Springfield MA 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, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
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
154,751
Springfield +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 126,103 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 38.2 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 5.3% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 20.0% | 9.7% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 1.8% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 16.9% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $61,860 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 449 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2174 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Springfield +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 39.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | 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.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Springfield, MALos Angeles, CA vs Springfield, MAChicago, IL vs Springfield, MAHouston, TX vs Springfield, MAPhoenix, AZ vs Springfield, MAPhiladelphia, PA vs Springfield, MA