Moving to Topeka
What you need to know before relocating to Topeka, Kansas. Data-driven insights on housing, jobs, safety, and quality of life.
Is Topeka a Good Place to Live?
Based on data across cost of living, job market, safety, and education, Topeka compares favorably on multiple dimensions. Highlights include rent ($953/mo) is below the national average; home prices ($184,000) are well below the us median; low unemployment rate (3.0%) signals a strong job market.
Topeka at a Glance
Cost of Living in Topeka
The median rent in Topeka is $953/month, while the median home value is $184,000. With a median household income of $65,301, residents spend roughly 18% of monthly income on rent.
Overall, the Topeka metro area is classified as affordable compared to other US metros.
Job Market
Topeka has a median household income of $65,301, which is 12% below the national median. The local unemployment rate is 3.0%, compared to the national average of 3.7%.
Safety in Topeka
The violent crime rate in Topeka is 430 per 100,000 residents, which is 13% above the national average of 380.
Property crime rate: 2094 per 100,000 residents.
Education in Kansas
Kansas has a high school graduation rate of 91% and per-pupil spending of $16,594/year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1.
37% of Kansas adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Healthcare Access
Kansas has 226 physicians per 100,000 residents, a 7.8% uninsured rate, and 2.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people. Life expectancy in Kansas is 77.2 years.
Pros and Cons of Living in Topeka
+Pros
- ✓Rent ($953/mo) is below the national average
- ✓Home prices ($184,000) are well below the US median
- ✓Low unemployment rate (3.0%) signals a strong job market
- ✓High school graduation rate of 91%
- ✓Low uninsured rate (7.8%) and good healthcare access
-Cons
- ✗Longer-than-average commute (100369 min)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Topeka a good place to live?⌄
Topeka, Kansas has several attributes that make it an attractive place to live, including rent ($953/mo) is below the national average and home prices ($184,000) are well below the us median. It scores well on multiple quality-of-life metrics relative to the national average.
What is the cost of living in Topeka?⌄
The median rent in Topeka is $953/month and the median home value is $184,000. The median household income is $65,301. Overall the metro is considered affordable.
Is Topeka safe?⌄
Topeka has a violent crime rate of 430 incidents per 100,000 residents. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.
What is the job market like in Topeka?⌄
Topeka has an unemployment rate of 3.0%, compared to the national average of 3.7%. The median household income is $65,301.