Topeka KS vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Topeka +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Wilmington
11.8%
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 71,124 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 71.0% | 32.4% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 1.6% | Topeka + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 11.8% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Wilmington
$38,786
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Wilmington
$64,087
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Wilmington
33.1%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $55,269 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $38,786 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $64,087 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.6% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 23.2% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 33.1% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $327,117 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 46.0% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Wilmington
394
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Wilmington
1991
Wilmington +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 394 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1991 | Wilmington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Topeka +
Wilmington
41.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Wilmington
16.4%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 41.0% | Topeka + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.0% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.4% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.4% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Wilmington
54.4°F
Wilmington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.5°F | 54.4°F | Wilmington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.0 in | 49.3 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 25.0 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 394 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. 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, Topeka scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.7%.
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