Tempe AZ 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)
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
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
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Tempe
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Tempe
60.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Tempe
7.8%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Tempe
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | 126,103 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.9 | 38.2 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 5.3% | Tempe + |
| White | 60.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 7.8% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 9.5% | 1.8% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 23.1% | 16.9% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Tempe
$59,120
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Tempe
5.7%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Tempe
16.2%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,643 | $55,902 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,371 | $33,290 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.5% | 29.1% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Tempe
$468,328
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Tempe
41.6%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $468,328 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.6% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
450
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Tempe
2150
Tempe +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2174 | Tempe + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
Topeka
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Tempe
18.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.2% | 39.7% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 13.1% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 16.8% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 11.4% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.9% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
71.3°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 71.3°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 9.3 in | 39.0 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Tempe
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Tempe
23.2 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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