Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Angelo, TX
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories
San Angelo
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
Median Household Income
$65,040 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
57 ✓ Safer
Population
99,422
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.
San Angelo, TX
Pros
75% less violent crime than Topeka
Violent crime is well below the national average (218.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (3.2%)
Households earn $10,988 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 61°F vs 40°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Property crime (2486.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 5% higher than Topeka
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $47k less ($124,700 vs $171,700)
Rent averages $111/mo less ($926 vs $1,037)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 97°F
5% cheaper overall cost of living than San Angelo
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails San Angelo by $10,988/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.0% vs 3.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
San Angelo
Median Income
$10,988
$65,040 vs $54,052/yr
San Angelo
Violent Crime
75% lower
218.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
San Angelo
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
3.2% vs 5.0% unemployment
San Angelo
Summer Heat
8.9°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 90.9 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$47k less
$124,700 vs $171,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Angelo, TX | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $171,700 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,037 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,040 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.7 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 8.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 82 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 57 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (87) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.5:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.1% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SAN ANGELO ISD | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 61.1°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.3" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,422 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 64.0% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 15.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Angelo's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 23 categories. San Angelo 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 San Angelo to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($171,700 vs $124,700 median home), income ($65,040 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Angelo, TX and Topeka, KS are about 589 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.