Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Nampa, ID
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories
Nampa
Idaho
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.4
Median Household Income
$67,346 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
93 ✓ Safer
Population
102,598
Topeka
Kansas
12
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.
Nampa, ID
Pros
59% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $13,294 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (3.0%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.4)
Cons
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $165k less ($124,700 vs $289,400)
Rent averages $275/mo less ($926 vs $1,201)
Commutes run 6 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)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Nampa
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Nampa by $13,294/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Nampa
Median Income
$13,294
$67,346 vs $54,052/yr
Nampa
Violent Crime
59% lower
353.1 vs 856.5 per 100k
Nampa
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
3.0% vs 5.0% unemployment
Nampa
Summer Heat
4.8°F warmer
July avg high 93.3°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 93.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$165k less
$124,700 vs $289,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Nampa, ID | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 93.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $289,400 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,201 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,346 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.0% ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.5 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.0% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 70 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 93 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (84) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.5:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 21.4% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.7% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | NAMPA SCHOOL DISTRICT | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.5°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 93.3°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.0" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 9.7" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,598 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.5 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.9% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 25.1% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 14.3% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nampa's cost of living index is 93.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories. Nampa 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 Nampa to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($289,400 vs $124,700 median home), income ($67,346 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Nampa, ID and Topeka, KS are about 1,124 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.