Topeka KS vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Westland
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Westland
9.2%
Westland +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Westland
63.7%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 84,155 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 9.2% | Westland + |
| White | 71.0% | 63.7% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 5.0% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Westland
$62,216
Westland +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Westland
$33,816
Westland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $62,216 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $33,816 | Westland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $58,052 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.3% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 21.7% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Westland
$215,089
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $215,089 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 471 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Westland
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Westland
16.6%
Westland +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.0% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.6% | Westland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 27.0 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westland leads in median household income at $62,216, 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 471 in Westland. 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, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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