Topeka KS vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 71.0% | 58.2% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 5.0% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $54,546 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $31,152 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $59,120 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.4% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 18.8% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $324,946 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 51.7% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 450 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Tucson
14.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.7% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.6% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 69.8°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 23.9 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, 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 Tucson. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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