Topeka, KS vs Washington, DC
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
Washington
66.2
#1580 nationally
Topeka leads in cost of living index (87 vs 181). Washington leads in median household income ($101,722 vs $54,052). Topeka leads in average commute (17.1 min vs 30.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Topeka, KS | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 73.5 (#729) | 66.2 (#1580) |
| Population | 125,475 | 678,972 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $198,385 | $576,796 |
| Median Household Income | $54,052 | $101,722 |
| Average Commute | 17.1 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | N/A | 98 |
| Crime Level | 23.5 | 25.4 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 181 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | Even | D+86.1 |
Data coverage note: Topeka is missing data for 1 metric that Washington 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 →
D
66.2 Score
Washington, DC
Major District of Columbia city with a diverse economy
Median Home
$576,796
Population
678,972
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
98
Northeast
View Washington, DC →