Topeka KS vs Waterbury CT — 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%
Waterbury, CT
Connecticut · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$280,921
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Waterbury
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Waterbury
N/A
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Waterbury
N/A
White
Topeka
71.0%
Waterbury
N/A
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Waterbury
N/A
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Waterbury
N/A
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | N/A | - |
| White | 71.0% | N/A | - |
| Black | 9.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.8% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Waterbury
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Waterbury
$85,393
Waterbury +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Waterbury
N/A
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Waterbury
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $85,393 | Waterbury + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Waterbury
$280,921
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $280,921 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Waterbury
156
Waterbury +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Waterbury
1524
Waterbury +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 156 | Waterbury + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1524 | Waterbury + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Waterbury
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Waterbury
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Waterbury
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Waterbury
18.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Waterbury
13.2%
Waterbury +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Waterbury
16.2%
Waterbury +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 40.5% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 14.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.1% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.5% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 13.2% | Waterbury + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.2% | Waterbury + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Waterbury
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | 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
Waterbury
7.7 µg/m³
Waterbury +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Waterbury
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Waterbury + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Waterbury
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waterbury, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Waterbury is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Waterbury has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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