Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Providence, RI
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 16 of 23 categories
Providence
Rhode Island
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,365 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
73 ✓ Safer
Population
189,715 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
16
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.
Providence, RI
Pros
68% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $7,313 more per year on average
More college-educated — 34.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Topeka
Higher unemployment (7.2% vs 5.0%)
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $168k less ($124,700 vs $293,000)
Rent averages $288/mo less ($926 vs $1,214)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.0%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Providence
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
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 Providence by $7,313/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Providence
Median Income
$7,313
$61,365 vs $54,052/yr
Providence
Violent Crime
68% lower
276.7 vs 856.5 per 100k
Topeka
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 100.9 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$168k less
$124,700 vs $293,000
Topeka
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.2% unemployment
Topeka
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 88.5°F vs 83.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Providence, RI | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.9⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $293,000 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,214 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,365 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.2 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 75 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 73 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 79 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.5% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 82.9% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Providence | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.3°F | 39.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.6°F | 88.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 47.5" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.6" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 189,715 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 32.3 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.7% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 11.8% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Providence's cost of living index is 100.9 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 16 of 23 categories. Providence wins 7 and Topeka wins 16. 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 Providence to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($293,000 vs $124,700 median home), income ($61,365 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Providence, RI and Topeka, KS are about 1,287 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.