Topeka KS vs Vallejo 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%
Vallejo, CA
California · Population: 68,141
- Median HH Income$137,194
- Median Home Price$523,551
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Vallejo
68,141
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Vallejo
42.1
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Vallejo
46.9%
Vallejo +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Vallejo
17.9%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Vallejo
5.3%
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Vallejo
55.9%
Vallejo +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Vallejo
19.3%
Vallejo +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 68,141 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.1 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 46.9% | Vallejo + |
| White | 71.0% | 17.9% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 55.9% | Vallejo + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 19.3% | Vallejo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Vallejo
$137,194
Vallejo +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Vallejo
$56,020
Vallejo +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Vallejo
$77,230
Vallejo +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Vallejo
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Vallejo
7.0%
Vallejo +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Vallejo
45.3%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $137,194 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $56,020 | Vallejo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Vallejo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.0% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 7.0% | Vallejo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 45.3% | Vallejo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Vallejo
$523,551
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Vallejo
67.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $523,551 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 67.0% | Vallejo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Vallejo
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
Vallejo
2388
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, 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%
Vallejo
31.6%
Vallejo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Vallejo
13.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Vallejo
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Vallejo
9.6%
Vallejo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Vallejo
13.8%
Vallejo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Vallejo
12.0%
Vallejo +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 31.6% | Vallejo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.3% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Vallejo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 13.8% | Vallejo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.0% | Vallejo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Vallejo
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Vallejo
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | 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
Vallejo
7.9 µg/m³
Vallejo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Vallejo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Vallejo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Vallejo
36.0 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vallejo, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 36.0 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vallejo leads in median household income at $137,194, 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 Vallejo. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Vallejo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vallejo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.6%.
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