Topeka KS vs Visalia 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Visalia
17.1%
Visalia +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 71.0% | 36.5% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 17.1% | Visalia + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $26,955 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 11.6% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 20.0% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 12.4% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Visalia
58.5%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $397,983 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 58.5% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, 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%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Visalia
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.9% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 63.3°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 41.6 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 Visalia. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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