Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Ann Arbor, MI
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 13 of 23 categories
Ann Arbor
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$78,546 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
80 ✓ Safer
Population
122,216
Topeka
Kansas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
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.
Ann Arbor, MI
Pros
65% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $24,494 more per year on average
More college-educated — 77.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $416,500
Higher rents — median is $1,472/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Topeka
Snowy winters — about 59" of snow per year
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $292k less ($124,700 vs $416,500)
Rent averages $546/mo less ($926 vs $1,472)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Ann Arbor
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 32°F
Smaller class sizes — 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Ann Arbor by $24,494/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
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Ann Arbor
Median Income
$24,494
$78,546 vs $54,052/yr
Ann Arbor
Violent Crime
65% lower
302.5 vs 856.5 per 100k
Ann Arbor
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 5.0% unemployment
Topeka
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$292k less
$124,700 vs $416,500
Topeka
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 84.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $416,500⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,546 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.2% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 80 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 82 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 77.5% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 97.8% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Ann Arbor Public Schools | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.7°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.9" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,216 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 27.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.0% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 12.2% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ann Arbor's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 13 of 23 categories. Ann Arbor wins 10 and Topeka wins 13. 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 Ann Arbor to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($416,500 vs $124,700 median home), income ($78,546 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Ann Arbor, MI and Topeka, KS are about 665 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.