Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 15 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1
Median Household Income
$59,174 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,846
Topeka
Kansas
15
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.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
42% less violent crime than Topeka
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.1%)
Households earn $5,122 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 89°F
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Topeka
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $48k less ($124,700 vs $172,700)
Milder winters — January highs near 40°F vs 25°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Green Bay
Cons
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 4.1%)
Median income trails Green Bay by $5,122/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Median Income
$5,122
$59,174 vs $54,052/yr
Green Bay
Violent Crime
42% lower
495.1 vs 856.5 per 100k
Green Bay
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.0% unemployment
Topeka
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 92.1 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$48k less
$124,700 vs $172,700
Topeka
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 79.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $926 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 15 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 8 and Topeka wins 15. 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 Green Bay to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $124,700 median home), income ($59,174 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Topeka, KS are about 549 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.