Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 22 categories
Reno
Nevada
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
12
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.
Reno, NV
Pros
38% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $19,021 more per year on average
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 46°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $337k less ($124,700 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $434/mo less ($926 vs $1,360)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
Smaller class sizes — 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Reno by $19,021/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
Reno
Median Income
$19,021
$73,073 vs $54,052/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
38% lower
529.6 vs 856.5 per 100k
Reno
Summer Heat
4.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$337k less
$124,700 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 17.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 22 categories. Reno wins 10 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 Reno to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $124,700 median home), income ($73,073 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Topeka, KS are about 1,288 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.