Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Mobile, AL
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 15 of 23 categories
Mobile
Alabama
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.4
Median Household Income
$48,524
Violent Crime Index
198⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
186,316 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052 ✓ Higher
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.
Mobile, AL
Pros
12% less violent crime than Topeka
Milder winters — January highs near 62°F vs 40°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.4)
Cons
Violent crime (752.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Topeka by $5,528/yr
Higher unemployment (6.5% vs 5.0%)
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $34k less ($124,700 vs $158,400)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.0%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Households earn $5,528 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Smaller class sizes — 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Mobile
Violent Crime
12% lower
752.0 vs 856.5 per 100k
Mobile
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 89.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Income
$5,528
$54,052 vs $48,524/yr
Topeka
Median Home Value
$34k less
$124,700 vs $158,400
Topeka
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Mobile, AL | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $158,400 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $985 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,524 | $54,052 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.8 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.6% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.7:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.2% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Mobile County | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 62.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 68.5" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 186,316 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.6% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Mobile's cost of living index is 89.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 15 of 23 categories. Mobile wins 8 and Topeka wins 15. 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 Mobile to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($158,400 vs $124,700 median home), income ($48,524 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Mobile, AL and Topeka, KS are about 720 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.