Topeka KS vs Wichita KS — 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, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Wichita
9.7%
Wichita +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 71.0% | 66.6% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 9.7% | Wichita + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Wichita
$61,860
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $61,860 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.7% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 15.9% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Wichita
$204,104
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Wichita
58.4%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $204,104 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 58.4% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Wichita
449
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Wichita
2174
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 449 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 2174 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Wichita
39.5%
Wichita +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Wichita
15.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 39.5% | Wichita + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.7% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 15.4% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 57.0°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Wichita
20.2 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 20.2 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Wichita is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wichita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.5%.
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