Springfield vs Topeka
The short version
- Topeka is cheaper overall: prices in its metro run 4% lower than in the Springfield area (BEA 2024).
- The median home costs $144,200 in Topeka and $162,100 in Springfield.
- Households earn more in Springfield ($66,064 vs $56,956 median).
- Topeka has the warmer winter: January highs of 40°F vs 36°F.
- Topeka has more scorching days: 50 a year at 90°F or hotter vs 28.
Side by side
| Springfield, IL | Topeka, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| People | ||
| Population (2025) | 112,989 | 125,795 |
| Growth since 2020 | -1.4% | -0.6% |
| People per square mile | 1,844 | 2,032 |
| Median age | 41.0 | 38.0 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36% | 29% |
| Money and housing | ||
| Median household income | $66,064 | $56,956 |
| Median home value | $162,100 | $144,200 |
| Home value to income | 2.5× | 2.5× |
| Median rent (with utilities) | $975 | $979 |
| Metro price level (US = 100) | 92.7 | 88.8 |
| Housing price level (US = 100) | 71.6 | 65.0 |
| $75,000 elsewhere equals | $69,600 | $66,600 |
| Homeowners | 64% | 59% |
| Top state income tax | 4.95% | 5.58% |
| Combined sales tax | 8.98% | 8.71% |
| Work and commute | ||
| Average commute (minutes) | 17.4 | 16.7 |
| Work from home | 15% | 11% |
| Take public transit | 1% | 1% |
| Unemployment (2020-24 avg) | 6.8% | 4.9% |
| Poverty rate | 16.8% | 15.7% |
| Weather | ||
| January high / low | 36° / 20° | 40° / 20° |
| July high / low | 87° / 66° | 90° / 69° |
| Precipitation per year | 38 in | 37 in |
| Snowfall per year | 22 in | 17 in |
| Days 90°F or hotter | 28 | 50 |
| Nights below freezing | 111 | 114 |
| Comfortable months | 4 | 3 |
| Risks, air and home prices | ||
| Natural hazard risk (FEMA, county) | Relatively Moderate | Relatively Moderate |
| FEMA risk score (lower is safer) | 91.7 | 88.0 |
| Good air days, 2025 | 70% | 64% |
| Home prices, past year | +5.1% | +5.6% |
| Home prices, past 5 years | +42.1% | +47.6% |
Highlighted cells are the better value where "better" is clear (lower prices, higher income, shorter commutes). Sources: Census Bureau 2025 estimates and ACS 2020-2024, BEA 2024, NOAA 1991-2020, Tax Foundation 2026.
Weather, month by month
Most comfortable months: Springfield: April and August to October. Topeka: April and September to October.
Full monthly tables: Springfield weather by month and Topeka weather by month.
What $75,000 is worth
A $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,600 in Springfield and $66,600 in Topeka. Moving from Springfield to Topeka, you would need about $71,800 to match a $75,000 salary.
Which would you pick?
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