Topeka KS vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Virginia Beach
37.4
Virginia Beach +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Virginia Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 71.0% | 61.6% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 8.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $427,121 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 25.0 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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