Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Killeen, TX
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories
Killeen
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
91.8
Median Household Income
$57,086 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
153,708 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
12
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.
Killeen, TX
Pros
38% less violent crime than Topeka
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 40°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 91.8)
Households earn $3,034 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (527.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (10.9% vs 5.0%)
Cost of living runs 6% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.9 pts lower (5.0%)
Homes cost $51k less ($124,700 vs $175,400)
Rent averages $158/mo less ($926 vs $1,084)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
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 Killeen by $3,034/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Killeen
Median Income
$3,034
$57,086 vs $54,052/yr
Killeen
Violent Crime
38% lower
527.6 vs 856.5 per 100k
Killeen
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 95.7°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 91.8 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$51k less
$124,700 vs $175,400
Topeka
Unemployment
5.9 pp lower
5.0% vs 10.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Killeen, TX | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 91.8 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $175,400 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,084 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,086 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.8 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.1% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 66 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.8:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.1% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.9% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | KILLEEN ISD | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.5°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.0" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 153,708 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 29.7 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 29.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 7.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Killeen's cost of living index is 91.8 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories. Killeen wins 11 and Topeka wins 12. 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 Killeen to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($175,400 vs $124,700 median home), income ($57,086 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Killeen, TX and Topeka, KS are about 562 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.