Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Topeka, KS
VS
Tyler, TX
🏆 Topeka leads 14 of 23 categories
Topeka
Kansas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
85.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$54,052
Violent Crime Index
225⚠ High
Population
126,431 ✓ Larger
Tyler
Texas
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4
Median Household Income
$63,056 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
103⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,440
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Topeka, KS
Pros
Homes cost $81k less ($124,700 vs $205,200)
Rent averages $187/mo less ($926 vs $1,113)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 85.9)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Tyler
Smaller class sizes — 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (856.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Tyler by $9,004/yr
Property crime (3642.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Tyler, TX
Pros
54% less violent crime than Topeka
Households earn $9,004 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 40°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Cons
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Topeka
Key Differences at a Glance
Topeka
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 85.9 vs 92.4 (100 = US avg)
Topeka
Median Home Value
$81k less
$124,700 vs $205,200
Tyler
Median Income
$9,004
$63,056 vs $54,052/yr
Tyler
Violent Crime
54% lower
391.2 vs 856.5 per 100k
Tyler
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 93.1°F vs 88.5°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Tyler, TX |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 85.9 ✓ Cheaper | 92.4 |
| Median Home Value | $124,700 ✓ Lower | $205,200 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $926 ✓ Lower | $1,113 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $54,052 | $63,056 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.3%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter | 20.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 6.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 205⚠ High | 98 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 225⚠ High | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High | 91 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (102) ✓ Better | B (97) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 15.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 28.5% | 31.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.0% ✓ Higher | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Topeka Public Schools | TYLER ISD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.9°F | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.5°F | 93.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 37.9" ✓ Drier | 47.7" |
| Annual Snowfall | 17.1" | 0.5" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 126,431 ✓ Larger | 106,440 |
| Median Age | 37.9 ✓ Older | 34.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.0% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.4% | 22.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 18.0% ✓ More | 16.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Topeka's cost of living index is 85.9 vs Tyler's 92.4 (US average = 100).
Topeka is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Topeka leads 14 of 23 categories. Topeka wins 14 and Tyler wins 9. 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 Topeka to Tyler or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($124,700 vs $205,200 median home), income ($54,052 vs $63,056), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Topeka, KS and Tyler, TX are about 465 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.