Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anaheim, CA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 14 of 23 categories
Anaheim
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$88,538 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
347,111 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anaheim, CA
Pros
Households earn $34,486 more per year on average
30% less violent crime than Topeka
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $713,600
Higher rents — median is $1,958/mo
Cost of living runs 30% higher than Topeka
Violent crime (596.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $589k less ($124,700 vs $713,600)
Rent averages $1032/mo less ($926 vs $1,958)
30% cheaper overall cost of living than Anaheim
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Smaller class sizes — 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Anaheim by $34,486/yr
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
Anaheim
Median Income
$34,486
$88,538 vs $54,052/yr
Anaheim
Violent Crime
30% lower
596.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
30% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$589k less
$124,700 vs $713,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $713,600⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,958⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,538 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.4 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.8% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (74) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.0:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.1% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.8% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anaheim Elementary | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.0°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 14.2" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 347,111 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anaheim's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 30% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 14 of 23 categories. Anaheim wins 9 and Topeka wins 14. 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 Anaheim to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($713,600 vs $124,700 median home), income ($88,538 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anaheim, CA and Topeka, KS are about 1,274 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.