Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Gilbert leads 16 of 23 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ 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.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $61,127 more per year on average
85% less violent crime than Topeka
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (3.5%)
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Topeka
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $330k less ($124,700 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $913/mo less ($926 vs $1,839)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 104°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $61,127/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 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$61,127
$115,179 vs $54,052/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
85% lower
132.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
3.5% vs 5.0% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
15.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$330k less
$124,700 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 16 of 23 categories. Gilbert 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 Gilbert to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $124,700 median home), income ($115,179 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Topeka, KS are about 977 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.