Sunnyvale CA 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)
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
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
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sunnyvale
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Sunnyvale
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 126,103 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 49.4% | 5.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 30.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 1.5% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 49.4% | 1.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 16.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $181,862 | $55,902 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $95,752 | $33,290 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 4.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poverty Rate | 5.6% | 15.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 69.2% | 29.1% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Sunnyvale
43.8%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $2,144,024 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.8% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sunnyvale
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
14.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 39.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.3% | 13.1% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.9% | 16.8% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.2% | 11.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 14.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.7% | 16.9% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sunnyvale
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | 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.)
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Sunnyvale, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, 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 503 in Sunnyvale. Sunnyvale has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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