Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories
Fresno
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,001 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
541,528 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
12
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.
Fresno, CA
Pros
14% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $8,949 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $321,800
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Topeka
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $197k less ($124,700 vs $321,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.0 pts lower (5.0%)
Rent averages $301/mo less ($926 vs $1,227)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Fresno
Commutes run 5 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 Fresno by $8,949/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Fresno
Median Income
$8,949
$63,001 vs $54,052/yr
Fresno
Violent Crime
14% lower
735.5 vs 856.5 per 100k
Fresno
Summer Heat
9.2°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$197k less
$124,700 vs $321,800
Topeka
Unemployment
4.0 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories. Fresno wins 11 and Topeka wins 12. 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 Fresno to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $124,700 median home), income ($63,001 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Topeka, KS are about 1,319 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.