St. Charles 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)
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
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
St. Charles
71,542
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Charles
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
St. Charles
37.9
St. Charles +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
St. Charles
4.2%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Topeka
71.0%
Black
St. Charles
6.7%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
St. Charles
1.4%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
St. Charles
7.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
St. Charles
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 71,542 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 38.2 | St. Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 4.2% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 80.4% | 71.0% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 6.7% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Charles
$55,578
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
St. Charles
$31,499
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Charles
$58,527
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
St. Charles
4.7%
St. Charles +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
St. Charles
18.7%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Charles
22.7%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,578 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,499 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.9% | St. Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.7% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.7% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
Topeka
59.2%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $144,200 | $193,522 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 61.4% | 59.2% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
501
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Charles
2418
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
35.9%
St. Charles +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
18.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 39.7% | St. Charles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.1% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.8% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.4% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.9% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Charles
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | 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.)
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Charles
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | St. Charles, 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Tie
| Metric | St. Charles, MO | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 18.3 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. St. Charles has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Charles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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