Topeka KS vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 102,558 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 71.0% | 70.1% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Wichita Falls +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $58,568 | Wichita Falls + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $31,987 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 17.4% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 25.0% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 57.0% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2339 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Wichita Falls +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Wichita Falls +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Wichita Falls
14.9%
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 35.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 17.8% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Wichita Falls + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 63.4°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 28.9 in | Wichita Falls + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Topeka +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Topeka + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita Falls leads in median household income at $58,568, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita Falls scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Topeka, KSLos Angeles, CA vs Topeka, KSChicago, IL vs Topeka, KSHouston, TX vs Topeka, KSPhoenix, AZ vs Topeka, KSPhiladelphia, PA vs Topeka, KS