Topeka KS vs Torrance CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Torrance, CA
California · Population: 95,358
- Median HH Income$118,253
- Median Home Price$1,128,110
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Torrance
95,358
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Torrance
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Torrance
35.2
Torrance +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Torrance
28.7%
Torrance +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Torrance
34.8%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Torrance
6.1%
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Torrance
22.0%
Torrance +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Torrance
41.4%
Torrance +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Torrance
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 95,358 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.2 | Torrance + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 28.7% | Torrance + |
| White | 71.0% | 34.8% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 6.1% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 22.0% | Torrance + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 41.4% | Torrance + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Torrance
$118,253
Torrance +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Torrance
$42,884
Torrance +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Torrance
$77,230
Torrance +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Torrance
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Torrance
7.7%
Torrance +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
Torrance
26.2%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $118,253 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $42,884 | Torrance + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Torrance + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.7% | Torrance + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 26.2% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Torrance
$1,128,110
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Torrance
64.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $1,128,110 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 64.0% | Torrance + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Torrance
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
Torrance
2388
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 503 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2388 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Torrance
20.3%
Torrance +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Torrance
10.6%
Torrance +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Torrance
13.3%
Torrance +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Torrance
5.2%
Torrance +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Torrance
14.0%
Torrance +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Torrance
8.0%
Torrance +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 20.3% | Torrance + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 10.6% | Torrance + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 13.3% | Torrance + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 5.2% | Torrance + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.0% | Torrance + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 8.0% | Torrance + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Torrance
62.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Torrance
14.5 in
Torrance +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 62.6°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 14.5 in | Torrance + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Torrance
7.9 µg/m³
Torrance +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Torrance
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Torrance + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Torrance
44.9 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Torrance, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 44.9 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Torrance leads in median household income at $118,253, 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 503 in Torrance. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Torrance has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Torrance scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.3%.
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