Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chandler, AZ
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Chandler leads 16 of 23 categories
Chandler
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,374 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
275,618 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
7
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.
Chandler, AZ
Pros
Households earn $45,322 more per year on average
84% less violent crime than Topeka
Violent crime is well below the national average (133.4 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (3.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 71°F vs 40°F
More college-educated — 46.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $423,900
Higher rents — median is $1,675/mo
Cost of living runs 16% higher than Topeka
Hot summers — July highs average 106°F
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $299k less ($124,700 vs $423,900)
Rent averages $749/mo less ($926 vs $1,675)
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Chandler
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 106°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Median income trails Chandler by $45,322/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 3.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Chandler
Median Income
$45,322
$99,374 vs $54,052/yr
Chandler
Violent Crime
84% lower
133.4 vs 856.5 per 100k
Chandler
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
3.8% vs 5.0% unemployment
Chandler
Summer Heat
17.4°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 101.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$299k less
$124,700 vs $423,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.4⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $423,900⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,675⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $99,374 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 19.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 50 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.6:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.2% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chandler Unified District #80 (4242) | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.6°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.7" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 275,618 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.6% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.5% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandler's cost of living index is 101.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chandler leads 16 of 23 categories. Chandler wins 16 and Topeka wins 7. 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 Chandler to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($423,900 vs $124,700 median home), income ($99,374 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chandler, AZ and Topeka, KS are about 983 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.