Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Independence, MO
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 14 of 23 categories
Independence
Missouri
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.3
Median Household Income
$57,415 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
150⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
122,218
Topeka
Kansas
14
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.
Independence, MO
Pros
33% less violent crime than Topeka
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.3)
Households earn $3,363 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (571.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3523.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.2% vs 5.0%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $26k less ($124,700 vs $150,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $94/mo less ($926 vs $1,020)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
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
Median income trails Independence by $3,363/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Independence
Median Income
$3,363
$57,415 vs $54,052/yr
Independence
Violent Crime
33% lower
571.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 93.3 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$26k less
$124,700 vs $150,800
Topeka
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Independence, MO | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.3 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $150,800 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,020 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,415 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.9 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.2% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.5% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.0% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | INDEPENDENCE 30 | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 37.6°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 86.9°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 44.7" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.2" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 122,218 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 39.5 ✓ Older | 37.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 18.4% ✓ More | 18.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Independence's cost of living index is 93.3 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 14 of 23 categories. Independence wins 9 and Topeka wins 14. 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 Independence to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($150,800 vs $124,700 median home), income ($57,415 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Independence, MO and Topeka, KS are about 72 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.