Topeka KS vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Utica
9.7%
Utica +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Utica
64.8%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Utica
16.9%
Utica +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 51,054 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.7% | Utica + |
| White | 71.0% | 64.8% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 16.9% | Utica + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 9.8% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Utica
$57,688
Utica +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $57,688 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 9.4% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.8% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Utica
$205,924
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $205,924 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 36.8% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Utica
434
Utica +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 434 | Utica + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Utica
39.6%
Utica +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Utica
15.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.6% | Utica + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.4% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.2% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.7% | Topeka + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Utica
22.7 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 22.7 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Utica leads in median household income at $57,688, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Utica is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Utica scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.6%.
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