City Comparison
Olathe vs Topeka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olathe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Olathe
Topeka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Topeka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
18% lower than in Olathe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olathe's average rent is
61% higher than Topeka's.
| Metric | Olathe | Topeka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $900 | +61% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $245 | -29% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $1,965 | +22% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olathe offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Olathe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olathe is estimated at
$58,000 vs $55,000 in Topeka.
| Metric | Olathe | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $63,547 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,510 idx | 73,892 idx |
| Household Income | $95,500 | $69,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Olathe runs warmer on average — a 56.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Olathe comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Olathe sees 17.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Olathe | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Topeka has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Olathe.
Topeka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Olathe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olathe | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olathe is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Topeka.
From a growth perspective, Olathe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olathe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olathe | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,385 | 125,607 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olathe
Advantages
Olathe consistently ranks among the safest cities in Kansas with violent and property crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
The Olathe Public Schools (USD 233) district is highly rated statewide, offering exceptional educational outcomes and modern facilities.
The city features over 30 public parks, extensive trail systems, and community lakes providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Strategic location along Interstate 35 provides seamless commuting and logistics access across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.
A thriving local economy with strong job growth in technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles makes public transit options limited for those who prefer not to drive.
Property taxes in Kansas can be relatively high compared to some competing states, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition due to high regional demand.
Warm and humid summer conditions can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime activities during peak heat waves.
Suburban sprawl in newer western developments can result in longer local errand commutes.
Topeka
Advantages
The cost of living in Topeka is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Topeka boasts short average commute times, reducing daily travel stress for residents.
The city offers a strong sense of community, often described as a 'biggest small town' feel.
There is a diverse range of housing options available, catering to various preferences and budgets.
Topeka provides ample parks, trails, and outdoor spaces for recreation and an active lifestyle.
Drawbacks
Topeka has a high crime rate, particularly for violent and property crimes, exceeding national averages.
Public transportation options are minimal, leading to high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Topeka can be hot and humid, with extreme weather patterns.
Healthcare costs, specifically health insurance premiums, are higher than the national average.
The city's job growth rate is projected to be modest, potentially slower than national and regional averages.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Olathe
#40Kansas, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
Topeka
#538Kansas, USA
49.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$900
Avg Salary
$63,547
Cost Index
86
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
43.0/100
Walkability
37.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
60
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