Topeka KS vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Topeka
126,103
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Topeka
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Topeka
38.2
Topeka +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Topeka
5.3%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Topeka
9.7%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Topeka
1.8%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Topeka
16.9%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Topeka
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,103 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.0 | Topeka + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 71.0% | 38.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.7% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 1.8% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 16.9% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Topeka
$55,902
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Topeka
$33,290
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Topeka
$61,860
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Topeka
15.6%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Topeka
29.1%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,902 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,290 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,860 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.4% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.1% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $193,522 | $685,544 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.2% | 47.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
449
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Topeka
2174
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 449 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2174 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
39.7%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Topeka
13.1%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Topeka
16.8%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Topeka
14.5%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Topeka
16.9%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.7% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.5% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
54.5°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Topeka
39.0 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Topeka
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.3 min | 37.5 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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