Shelby, NC 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.
Shelby
70.8
#1062 nationally
Topeka
73.5
#729 nationally
Topeka leads in average commute (17.1 min vs 22.4 min). Topeka leads in crime level (23.5 vs 28.6). Topeka leads in median household income ($54,052 vs $46,176).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Shelby, NC | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 70.8 (#1062) | 73.5 (#729) |
| Population | 22,010 | 125,475 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $214,559 | $198,385 |
| Median Household Income | $46,176 | $54,052 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 17.1 min |
| Walk Score | 28 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 28.6 | 23.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+35.0 | Even |
Data coverage note: Topeka is missing data for 1 metric that Shelby has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
C-
70.8 Score
Shelby, NC
Small North Carolina city with local appeal
Median Home
$214,559
Population
22,010
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Shelby, NC →
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 →