Topeka, Kansas
Among the top 4% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 29% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade C, better than 40% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade F, better than 9% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A+, better than 96% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 48% of US places
- top 3% for park & nature access
- top 6% for commute time
- bottom 3% for property crime
Topeka is a city in Kansas with about 126,000 residents. It grades A+ for getting around and F for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include park & nature access, commute time, and walkability. It rates lower on violent crime and property crime.
Official websitetopeka.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Hot, humid summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
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86%65%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.6 in1.2 in
muggy 100%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$54k35th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$44kbetter than 72% of US places
Home Value$125k36th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$926better than 48% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$1kbetter than 58% of US places
Property Tax Rate1.55%better than 23% of US places
Income Tax5.70%better than 39% of US places
Sales Tax8.75%better than 22% of US places
Estimated total tax burden12.17%better than 28% of US places
Unemployment5.0%better than 40% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)30°F43rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)80°F73rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation37.9 in38th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall17.1 inbetter than 50% of US places
Sunny Days275 daysbetter than 88% of US places
Summer Humidity67°Fbetter than 30% of US places
Comfortable Days61 daysbetter than 14% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk55.6better than 64% of US places
Air Quality52 AQIbetter than 13% of US places
School Quality65.8better than 60% of US places
Violent Crime2547/100kbetter than 4% of US places
Property Crime3708/100kbetter than 3% of US places
Community
Population126,43199th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age37.935th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.4578th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9337th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningEven27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)66.1%27th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)9.8%84th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)16.4%82nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.7%78th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)6.0%77th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time17 minbetter than 94% of US places
Walkability12.7/20better than 94% of US places
Airport Distance57 mibetter than 63% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access80.6%better than 32% of US places
Amenities Nearby22.38better than 23% of US places
Park & Nature AccessExcellentbetter than 97% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Topeka an affordable place to live?
- Topeka is relatively affordable. Its cost-of-living index is $44k, better than 72% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Topeka?
- The median home value in Topeka is $125k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Topeka?
- Median household income in Topeka is $54k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Topeka?
- Median gross rent in Topeka is $926 a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Topeka safe?
- Topeka is higher-crime than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 2547/100k (better than 4%). Property crime is 3708/100k.
- What is the weather like in Topeka?
- Topeka averages 80°F in July and 30°F in January, with 37.9 in of annual precipitation and about 275 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Topeka?
- Public-school quality in Topeka is above average, scoring better than 60% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Topeka?
- The average one-way commute in Topeka is 17 min.
Places near Topeka
Compare Topeka
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Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)