Topeka, KS vs Waco, TX
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.
Topeka
73.5
#729 nationally
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Waco leads in crime level (11.7 vs 23.5). Topeka leads in median household income ($54,052 vs $47,421). Topeka leads in cost of living index (87 vs 93).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.5 (#729) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 125,475 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $198,385 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $54,052 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 17.1 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 35 |
| Crime Level | 23.5 | 11.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | R+30.9 |
Data coverage note: Topeka is missing data for 1 metric that Waco has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
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 →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →