Topeka KS vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Vancouver
37.5
Vancouver +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.5 | Vancouver + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 71.0% | 70.6% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 3.1% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $510,577 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 49.9% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 3409 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Vancouver
36.2%
Vancouver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Vancouver
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.2% | Vancouver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.1% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.3% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 41.6 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Vancouver
25.1 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 25.1 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Vancouver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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