Topeka KS
Kansas · Pop. 125,786
Topeka, KS: median household income of $56,956, median rent of $979/mo, 4.9% unemployment. Our verdict: Solid Choice.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$56,956
per year
Median Rent
$979
per month
Median Home
$144k
home value
Unemployment
4.9%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
15.7%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
17 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Topeka, KS Reality Check"
In Topeka, the rent-to-income burden runs around 21% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $56,956 and median rent is $979/month. 42% of renters spend 30%+ of income on housing — above the national average. Median home value: $144,200 — that's 2.5× the median income. Employment picture: 4.92% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 15.7%. Average commute: 17 minutes — mercifully short. Topeka was founded in 1854 — that's 172 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 61.5 sq miles at 2,046 people/sq mile — spread out. Elevation: 945 ft — modest elevation. RoastMyCity overall score: 71/100 — Solid Choice.