City Comparison
Wichita vs Topeka
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wichita scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wichita
Topeka
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Topeka.
| Metric | Wichita | Topeka | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $900 | +6% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $245 | -31% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $1,965 | -7% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 86 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Topeka offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Topeka delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wichita is estimated at
$48,000 vs $55,000 in Topeka.
| Metric | Wichita | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $63,547 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 73,892 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $69,888 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wichita runs warmer on average — a 58.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wichita comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wichita sees 7.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wichita | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Topeka scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wichita leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wichita | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Topeka.
From a growth perspective, Wichita is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wichita has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wichita | Topeka |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 397,532 | 125,607 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.0 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wichita
Advantages
Median home prices in Wichita are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average daily commute times are notably shorter than the U.S. average, reducing daily transit stress per Census Bureau reports.
The city offers a robust and growing arts and culinary scene, particularly in the historic Old Town and Delano districts.
Wichita serves as a major regional healthcare hub with world-class hospital systems like Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center.
Abundant green spaces, including the Arkansas River multi-use paths and Botanica Gardens, provide strong outdoor recreation options.
Drawbacks
The local economy experiences cyclical fluctuations due to its heavy reliance on the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be quite high and breezy, while winters occasionally bring unpredictable severe weather and ice storms.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates relative to suburban developments.
Voter-approved public transit and infrastructure funding have historically lagged behind growing metropolitan expansion needs.
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.
Wichita
#290Kansas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
58.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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