Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 126,103 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.2 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 85.2% | 71.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 29.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 39.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 11.4% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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