Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Spring Hill, FL
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Topeka leads 12 of 20 categories
Spring Hill
Florida
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,588 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
116,882
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.
Spring Hill, FL
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 40°F
Households earn $7,536 more per year on average
Cons
Cost of living runs 18% higher than Topeka
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 5.0%)
Longer commutes — 29.0 min average each way
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $97k less ($124,700 vs $221,500)
Rent averages $297/mo less ($926 vs $1,223)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
18% cheaper overall cost of living than Spring Hill
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 28.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Spring Hill by $7,536/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Spring Hill
Median Income
$7,536
$61,588 vs $54,052/yr
Spring Hill
Summer Heat
3.2°F warmer
July avg high 91.7°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
18% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$97k less
$124,700 vs $221,500
Topeka
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.4% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Spring Hill, FL | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.4⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $221,500 | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,223 | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,588 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.0 min⚠ High | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | — | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | — | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.7:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.2% | 28.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | HERNANDO | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.6°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 56.5" | 37.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 116,882 | 126,431 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 43.2 ✓ Older | 37.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 77.9% ✓ Higher | 59.0% |
| Under 18 | 20.2% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 22.8% ✓ More | 18.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Spring Hill's cost of living index is 103.4 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 18% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Topeka leads 12 of 20 categories. Spring Hill wins 8 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 Spring Hill to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($221,500 vs $124,700 median home), income ($61,588 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Spring Hill, FL and Topeka, KS are about 1,048 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.