Tacoma WA 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)
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tacoma
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Tacoma
59.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Tacoma
13.1%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Tacoma
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 220,482 | 126,103 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.2 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| White | 59.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 10.5% | 9.7% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 8.8% | 1.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 13.1% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Tacoma
5.3%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,857 | $55,902 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,756 | $33,290 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $61,860 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.6% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 29.1% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tacoma
$496,966
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Tacoma
56.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $496,966 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tacoma
3409
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 449 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tacoma
18.7%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
16.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.3% | 39.7% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.7% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.4% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 16.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tacoma
39.2 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.5°F | 54.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.2 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tacoma
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tacoma
31.1 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Tacoma, WA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.1 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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