Topeka KS vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 107,699 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 4.7% | Topeka + |
| White | 71.0% | 49.6% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 5.2% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $48,536 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $31,324 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $51,690 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.0% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.8% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $231,461 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 45.1% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 42.6% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 21.3% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.1% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 65.0°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 55.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 20.0 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, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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