Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dearborn, MI
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 13 of 23 categories
Dearborn
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$64,600 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
77 ✓ Safer
Population
108,414
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.
Dearborn, MI
Pros
66% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $10,548 more per year on average
More college-educated — 34.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Topeka
Higher unemployment (6.8% vs 5.0%)
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $65k less ($124,700 vs $189,400)
Rent averages $279/mo less ($926 vs $1,205)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (5.0%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Dearborn
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Dearborn by $10,548/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Dearborn
Median Income
$10,548
$64,600 vs $54,052/yr
Dearborn
Violent Crime
66% lower
292.6 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$65k less
$124,700 vs $189,400
Topeka
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.8% unemployment
Topeka
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dearborn, MI | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $189,400 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,205 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,600 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.3 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.9% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 84 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 77 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 95 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (107) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.8:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.8% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 85.1% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Dearborn City School District | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.0°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.0" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 108,414 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.1% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 28.6% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dearborn'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. Dearborn 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 Dearborn to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($189,400 vs $124,700 median home), income ($64,600 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dearborn, MI and Topeka, KS are about 691 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.