Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Deltona, FL
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 11 of 20 categories
Deltona
Florida
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,074 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
94,373
Topeka
Kansas
11
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.
Deltona, FL
Pros
Households earn $15,022 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 70°F vs 40°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (4.0%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,417/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Topeka
Longer commutes — 34.4 min average each way
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $102k less ($124,700 vs $226,800)
Rent averages $491/mo less ($926 vs $1,417)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Deltona
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
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 Deltona by $15,022/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 4.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Deltona
Median Income
$15,022
$69,074 vs $54,052/yr
Deltona
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
4.0% vs 5.0% unemployment
Deltona
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$102k less
$124,700 vs $226,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Deltona, FL | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $226,800 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,417⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,074 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.4 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.1:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 18.6% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | VOLUSIA | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 70.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.8" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,373 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 38.1 ✓ Older | 37.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.3% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 22.9% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 16.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Deltona's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Topeka leads 11 of 20 categories. Deltona wins 9 and Topeka wins 11. 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 Deltona to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($226,800 vs $124,700 median home), income ($69,074 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Deltona, FL and Topeka, KS are about 1,083 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.