Syracuse NY 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)
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
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
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Syracuse
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Syracuse
51.9%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Syracuse
10.3%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Syracuse
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,211 | 126,103 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 38.2 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 5.3% | Syracuse + |
| White | 51.9% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 27.6% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 6.8% | 1.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 10.3% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Syracuse
$45,845
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Syracuse
$27,570
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Syracuse
7.4%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Syracuse
29.6%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,845 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,570 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.4% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.6% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.5% | 29.1% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Syracuse
$215,134
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Syracuse
41.3%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $215,134 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.3% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
434
Syracuse +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Syracuse + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
41.5%
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Syracuse
20.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
15.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 39.7% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.1% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.4% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.9% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
49.0°F
Syracuse +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Syracuse
41.5 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.0°F | 54.5°F | Syracuse + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Syracuse
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Syracuse
19.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Syracuse, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.3 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, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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