Living in Topeka, Kansas
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Topeka · Census data 2020–2024
Topeka has 125,786 residents with a median age of 38. The median household income is $56,956 (23% lower than the Kansas median), the median home value is $144,200, the median rent is $979/month.
Topeka at a glance
- Population
- 125,786
- Median age
- 38State: 37.4
- Median household income
- $56,956State: $74,275
- Median home value
- $144,200State: $217,200
- Median rent
- $979/moState: $1,060
- Homeowners
- 59%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Average commute
- 17 min
Is Topeka a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 23% lower than the Kansas median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
The weather is best in May–June and September–October.
Cost of living in Topeka
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Topeka the median home value is $144,200, 57% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $979 per month, which is 27.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,291 a month in housing costs.
Topeka median household income
The median household income in Topeka is $56,956 and the income per person is $34,089. 15.7% of residents live below the poverty line (Kansas: 11.3%).
Housing in Topeka: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 59,868
- Owner-occupied
- 59%
- Renter-occupied
- 41%
- Vacant
- 8.4%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1967
- Average household size
- 2.21
Topeka demographics
- Population
- 125,786
- Median age
- 38
- Under 18
- 22.4%
- 65 and older
- 18.4%
- Households
- 54,837
- Foreign-born
- 5.1%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Topeka ›
Education in Topeka
29% of adults 25 and older in Topeka have a bachelor's degree or higher (Kansas: 35.6%), and 10.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Topeka
- Unemployment rate
- 4.9%State: 3.9%
- Average commute
- 17 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 10.9%
- Drive alone
- 75.5%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 1.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.1%
Topeka vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | 125,786 | $56,956 | $144,200 | $979 |
| Tecumseh | 457 | $77,740 | $200,400 | — |
| Grantville | 122 | $65,063 | $212,500 | — |
| Silver Lake | 1,553 | $56,834 | $169,300 | $860 |
| Wakarusa | 209 | $58,583 | $219,600 | — |
| Auburn | 1,144 | $57,875 | $151,200 | $871 |
| Meriden | 716 | $76,667 | $176,400 | $839 |
| Carbondale | 1,341 | $75,750 | $119,400 | $617 |
| Hoyt | 935 | $71,364 | $170,300 | $1,023 |
More for people moving to Topeka
Topeka ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Topeka: FAQ
What is the median household income in Topeka, KS?
The median household income in Topeka is $56,956, 23% lower than the Kansas median of $74,275 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Topeka?
The median home value in Topeka is $144,200, compared with $217,200 in Kansas.
How much is rent in Topeka?
The median gross rent in Topeka is $979 per month, about 27.7% of household income.
Is Topeka, KS a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 34% lower than the state median; an average commute of 17 minutes. Minuses: median household income 23% lower than the Kansas median; unemployment of 4.9%; a poverty rate of 15.7%.
What is the median age in Topeka?
The median age in Topeka is 38 years (Kansas: 37.4).
How long is the commute in Topeka?
The average commute to work in Topeka is 17 minutes; 10.9% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Topeka?
The unemployment rate in Topeka is 4.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Topeka?
29% of adults in Topeka have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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