Appleton, WI vs Topeka, KS
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Appleton
77.6
#227 nationally
Topeka
73.5
#729 nationally
Appleton leads in crime level (5.5 vs 23.5). Appleton leads in median household income ($75,469 vs $54,052). Topeka leads in average commute (17.1 min vs 19.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Appleton, WI | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.6 (#227) | 73.5 (#729) |
| Population | 74,719 | 125,475 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $309,058 | $198,385 |
| Median Household Income | $75,469 | $54,052 |
| Average Commute | 19.4 min | 17.1 min |
| Walk Score | 44 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 5.5 | 23.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 94 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+10.2 | Even |
Data coverage note: Topeka is missing data for 1 metric that Appleton has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
C+
77.6 Score
Appleton, WI
Wisconsin community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$309,058
Population
74,719
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
44
Midwest
View Appleton, WI →
C
73.5 Score
Topeka, KS
Mid-size Kansas city with community character
Median Home
$198,385
Population
125,475
Crime
High
Median Income
$54,052
Midwest
View Topeka, KS →