Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Mesa, AZ
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Mesa leads 14 of 23 categories
Mesa
Arizona
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$73,766 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
503,390 ✓ 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.
Mesa, AZ
Pros
44% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $19,714 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,700
Higher rents — median is $1,352/mo
Violent crime (482.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $203k less ($124,700 vs $327,700)
Rent averages $426/mo less ($926 vs $1,352)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Mesa
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 106°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Median income trails Mesa by $19,714/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
Key Differences at a Glance
Mesa
Median Income
$19,714
$73,766 vs $54,052/yr
Mesa
Violent Crime
44% lower
482.7 vs 856.5 per 100k
Mesa
Summer Heat
17.4°F warmer
July avg high 105.9°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$203k less
$124,700 vs $327,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Mesa, AZ | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,700⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,352⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,766 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.8 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.6% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 104⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 70 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 90.7% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mesa Unified District (4235) | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.5°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.8" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 503,390 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.2% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Mesa's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Mesa leads 14 of 23 categories. Mesa 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 Mesa to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,700 vs $124,700 median home), income ($73,766 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Mesa, AZ and Topeka, KS are about 972 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.