Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Phoenix, AZ
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Phoenix leads 12 of 23 categories
Phoenix
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
Median Household Income
$72,092 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
210⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,609,456 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
11
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.
Phoenix, AZ
Pros
Households earn $18,040 more per year on average
7% less violent crime than Topeka
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $340,200
Violent crime (799.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Topeka
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $216k less ($124,700 vs $340,200)
Rent averages $396/mo less ($926 vs $1,322)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Phoenix
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 104°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Cons
Median income trails Phoenix by $18,040/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
Phoenix
Median Income
$18,040
$72,092 vs $54,052/yr
Phoenix
Violent Crime
7% lower
799.6 vs 856.5 per 100k
Phoenix
Summer Heat
15.5°F warmer
July avg high 104.0°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
$216k less
$124,700 vs $340,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $340,200⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,322 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,092 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 14.4% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 210⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.7:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 83.9% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Paradise Valley Unified District (4241) | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.0°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.5" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,609,456 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.5% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.5% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Phoenix'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, Phoenix leads 12 of 23 categories. Phoenix wins 12 and Topeka wins 11. 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 Phoenix to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($340,200 vs $124,700 median home), income ($72,092 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Phoenix, AZ and Topeka, KS are about 986 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.