Topeka KS vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 119,508 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.2 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 71.0% | 44.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.4% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $399,650 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 50.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 13.7% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 75.4°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 62.3 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 25.0 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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