Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Elgin, IL
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 16 of 23 categories
Elgin
Illinois
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$85,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
70 ✓ Safer
Population
114,190
Topeka
Kansas
16
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.
Elgin, IL
Pros
69% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $31,946 more per year on average
Cons
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Topeka
Higher unemployment (6.0% vs 5.0%)
Longer commutes — 28.3 min average each way
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $118k less ($124,700 vs $242,500)
Rent averages $264/mo less ($926 vs $1,190)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Elgin
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Median income trails Elgin by $31,946/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
Elgin
Median Income
$31,946
$85,998 vs $54,052/yr
Elgin
Violent Crime
69% lower
266.7 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$118k less
$124,700 vs $242,500
Topeka
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.0% unemployment
Topeka
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $242,500 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,190 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $85,998 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 63 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 52 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 26.7% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.1% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SD U-46 | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 30.1°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.9" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 32.1" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,190 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.2% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 26.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Elgin's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 16 of 23 categories. Elgin wins 7 and Topeka wins 16. 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 Elgin to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($242,500 vs $124,700 median home), income ($85,998 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Elgin, IL and Topeka, KS are about 439 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.