Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Irving, TX
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Irving leads 14 of 23 categories
Irving
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,686 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
72 ✓ Safer
Population
254,962 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
9
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.
Irving, TX
Pros
68% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $22,634 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 40.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 40°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,423/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $135k less ($124,700 vs $259,500)
Rent averages $497/mo less ($926 vs $1,423)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Irving
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 96°F
Cons
Median income trails Irving by $22,634/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 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Irving
Median Income
$22,634
$76,686 vs $54,052/yr
Irving
Violent Crime
68% lower
275.4 vs 856.5 per 100k
Irving
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.0% unemployment
Irving
Summer Heat
7.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.6°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$135k less
$124,700 vs $259,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Irving, TX | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $259,500 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,423⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $76,686 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.0% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 85 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 105⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (109) ✓ Better | B (102) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.5% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | IRVING ISD | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.5°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.6°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.0" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.6" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 254,962 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 37.2% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.4% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 8.3% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irving's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Irving leads 14 of 23 categories. Irving wins 14 and Topeka wins 9. 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 Irving to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($259,500 vs $124,700 median home), income ($76,686 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Irving, TX and Topeka, KS are about 433 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.