Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Spring Valley, NV
VS
Topeka, KS
🏆 Spring Valley leads 12 of 23 categories
Spring Valley
Nevada
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,341 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
25 ✓ Safer
Population
220,114 ✓ Larger
Topeka
Kansas
11
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.
Spring Valley, NV
Pros
89% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $15,289 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (94.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 40°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $375,200
Higher rents — median is $1,523/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Topeka
Higher unemployment (7.6% vs 5.0%)
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $251k less ($124,700 vs $375,200)
Rent averages $597/mo less ($926 vs $1,523)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (5.0%)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Spring Valley
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 89°F vs 106°F
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Spring Valley by $15,289/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Spring Valley
Median Income
$15,289
$69,341 vs $54,052/yr
Spring Valley
Violent Crime
89% lower
94.1 vs 856.5 per 100k
Spring Valley
Summer Heat
17.3°F warmer
July avg high 105.8°F vs 88.5°F
Topeka
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$251k less
$124,700 vs $375,200
Topeka
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 7.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Spring Valley, NV | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $375,200⚠ High | $124,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,523⚠ High | $926 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,341 ✓ Higher | $54,052 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6%⚠ High | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% ✓ Higher | 8.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 25 ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 25 ✓ Safer | 225⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 25 ✓ Safer | 173⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (91) | B (102) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 28.5% |
| High School or Higher | 88.8% | 91.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Clark County | Topeka Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer | 39.9°F |
| Avg High — July | 105.8°F ✓ Warmer | 88.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 6.6" ✓ Drier | 37.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 17.1" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 220,114 ✓ Larger | 126,431 |
| Median Age | 38.5 ✓ Older | 37.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 59.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.2% | 22.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.0% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Spring Valley's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Topeka's 85.9 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Spring Valley leads 12 of 23 categories. Spring Valley wins 12 and Topeka wins 11. 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 Valley to Topeka or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($375,200 vs $124,700 median home), income ($69,341 vs $54,052), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Spring Valley, NV and Topeka, KS are about 1,089 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.