Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Allentown, PA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 19 of 23 categories
Allentown
Pennsylvania
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$52,449
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
125,292
Topeka
Kansas
19
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Allentown, PA
Pros
68% less violent crime than Topeka
Cons
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Topeka
Higher unemployment (9.2% vs 5.0%)
Topeka, KS
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Homes cost $44k less ($124,700 vs $168,800)
Rent averages $276/mo less ($926 vs $1,202)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Allentown
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Allentown
Violent Crime
68% lower
272.1 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Income
$1,603
$54,052 vs $52,449/yr
Topeka
Median Home Value
$44k less
$124,700 vs $168,800
Topeka
Unemployment
4.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Allentown, PA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $168,800 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,202 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $52,449 | $54,052 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 73 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.9:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.3% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.9% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Allentown City SD | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.4°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.4°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.4" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.1" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 125,292 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Allentown's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 19 of 23 categories. Allentown wins 4 and Topeka wins 19. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Allentown to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($168,800 vs $124,700 median home), income ($52,449 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Allentown, PA and Topeka, KS are about 1,076 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.