Toledo OH 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)
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
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
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Toledo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Toledo
3.4%
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
White
Toledo
58.7%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Toledo
1.4%
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Hispanic
Toledo
8.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Toledo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 268,461 | 126,103 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.2 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 3.4% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| White | 58.7% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 28.7% | 9.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 1.8% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Toledo
$47,532
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Toledo
$27,407
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Toledo
$58,300
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
Toledo
8.5%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Toledo
24.5%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Toledo
21.0%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $47,532 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,407 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.5% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.0% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Topeka
$193,522
Homeownership Rate
Toledo
52.7%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $130,101 | $193,522 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.7% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 449 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2174 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Toledo
15.7%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Toledo
20.6%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Toledo
11.3%
Toledo +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Toledo
14.9%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Toledo
19.9%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.3% | 39.7% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.6% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.4% | Toledo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Toledo
50.6°F
Toledo +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | 54.5°F | Toledo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 33.4 in | 39.0 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Toledo
55.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Toledo
21.3 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Toledo, OH | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.3 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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