Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hesperia, CA
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 13 of 23 categories
Hesperia
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
137⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,878
Topeka
Kansas
13
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.
Hesperia, CA
Pros
39% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $13,646 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $337,600
Higher rents — median is $1,436/mo
Violent crime (519.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $213k less ($124,700 vs $337,600)
Rent averages $510/mo less ($926 vs $1,436)
Commutes run 25 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.8 pts lower (5.0%)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Hesperia
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Hesperia by $13,646/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hesperia
Median Income
$13,646
$67,698 vs $54,052/yr
Hesperia
Violent Crime
39% lower
519.6 vs 856.5 per 100k
Hesperia
Summer Heat
8.3°F warmer
July avg high 96.8°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$213k less
$124,700 vs $337,600
Topeka
Unemployment
4.8 pp lower
5.0% vs 9.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hesperia, CA | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $337,600⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,436⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,698 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.8%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 42.4 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.3% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.4:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.9% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.0% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hesperia Unified | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.8°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.1" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,878 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.5% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 29.3% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 9.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hesperia's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 13 of 23 categories. Hesperia wins 10 and Topeka wins 13. 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 Hesperia to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($337,600 vs $124,700 median home), income ($67,698 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hesperia, CA and Topeka, KS are about 1,236 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.