Topeka KS vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 71.0% | 39.1% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 11.6% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $580,173 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 41.1% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 24.0% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | 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
Topeka +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 32.8 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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