Tallahassee FL 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)
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
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
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tallahassee
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Tallahassee
50.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Tallahassee
8.6%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Tallahassee
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,696 | 126,103 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.0 | 38.2 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 8.0% | 5.3% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 50.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 35.7% | 9.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 1.8% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Tallahassee
6.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Tallahassee
23.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,931 | $55,902 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,704 | $33,290 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $61,860 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.0% | 29.1% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tallahassee
$293,664
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Tallahassee
39.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $293,664 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 449 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2174 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tallahassee
20.3%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
13.2%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
16.7%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.1% | 39.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 13.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.3% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 16.9% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tallahassee
58.1 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.6°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tallahassee
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Tallahassee, FL | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Tallahassee, FLLos Angeles, CA vs Tallahassee, FLChicago, IL vs Tallahassee, FLHouston, TX vs Tallahassee, FLPhoenix, AZ vs Tallahassee, FLPhiladelphia, PA vs Tallahassee, FL