Stamford CT 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)
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
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
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Stamford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Stamford
38.2
Topeka
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Stamford
49.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Stamford
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,806 | 126,103 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 31.8% | 5.3% | Stamford + |
| White | 49.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 19.9% | 9.7% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.8% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 28.1% | 16.9% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Stamford
4.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,474 | $55,902 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,382 | $33,290 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $61,860 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 15.6% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 29.1% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Stamford
$708,498
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Stamford
47.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $708,498 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 449 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 2174 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Stamford
12.3%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Stamford
16.4%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.5% | 39.7% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.1% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 16.8% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.3% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.9% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Stamford
53.2 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.3°F | 54.5°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.2 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Stamford
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Stamford
30.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Stamford, CT | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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