Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Tan Valley, AZ
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 13 of 23 categories
San Tan Valley
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$88,466 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
101,207
Topeka
Kansas
10
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 Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
Households earn $34,414 more per year on average
72% less violent crime than Topeka
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 40°F
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (4.5%)
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,729/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Topeka
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $179k less ($124,700 vs $304,000)
Rent averages $803/mo less ($926 vs $1,729)
Commutes run 19 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than San Tan Valley
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 104°F
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails San Tan Valley by $34,414/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
San Tan Valley
Median Income
$34,414
$88,466 vs $54,052/yr
San Tan Valley
Violent Crime
72% lower
235.7 vs 856.5 per 100k
San Tan Valley
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
4.5% vs 5.0% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
15.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$179k less
$124,700 vs $304,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Tan Valley, AZ | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,000 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,729⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,466 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 36.2 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.5% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 56 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.0% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.3% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,207 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 37.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.4% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.7% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Tan Valley's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 13 of 23 categories. San Tan Valley wins 13 and Topeka wins 10. 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 Tan Valley to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,000 vs $124,700 median home), income ($88,466 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Tan Valley, AZ and Topeka, KS are about 972 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.