Topeka, the capital city of Kansas, offers a blend of historical significance and modern amenities. Located along the Kansas River, Topeka is known for its rich history, including its role in the civil rights movement with the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. The city's historic sites, cultural attractions, and strong sense of community make living in Topeka an appealing experience.
Residents of Topeka enjoy a variety of recreational activities and outdoor spaces. The city boasts numerous parks, trails, and recreational facilities, including the beautiful Lake Shawnee and Gage Park, which offer opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center is a popular destination for families and nature enthusiasts.
Topeka is home to several higher education institutions, including Washburn University, which contributes to the city's vibrant educational and cultural scene. The university supports a range of cultural events, performances, and sporting activities, enhancing the community's cultural life. The city's arts and entertainment offerings include the Topeka Performing Arts Center and the Mulvane Art Museum.
The cost of living in Topeka is relatively affordable, making it an attractive option for families and young professionals. The housing market offers a variety of options, from historic homes in established neighborhoods to new developments in suburban areas. The city's economy is supported by industries such as government, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.
Public transportation in Topeka is provided by Topeka Metro, which operates bus routes throughout the city. The city's layout is car-friendly, with well-maintained roads and highways facilitating easy commutes. Topeka's climate features hot summers and cold winters, with a variety of seasonal activities available year-round. Overall, Topeka offers a blend of historical charm, modern conveniences, and a strong sense of community.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Cost Of Living
Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Commute
Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Ratings
Through surveys and polls, AreaVibes obtained feedback from local residents in the area, and the results did not indicate a favorable outlook on factors like local amenities and the safety of the area.
Topeka, Kansas is a moderately-sized city with a population of 125,819 people. The majority of Topeka residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Topeka will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 17 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.
If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Topeka, Kansas. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. With useful information like cost of living, health & safety, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Topeka and in the areas around Topeka is a much easier task.
Topeka, KS receives 68 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #169 in Kansas and #7,520 in the USA. If we dig down a little deeper into each category within the livability score, we see that Topeka has higher than average scores for the following: amenities (A-) and housing (B+). There is at least one category that you should be aware of in Topeka. The following was graded with a disappointing score: crime (F), education (D-) and employment (D).
Topeka has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Topeka has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Topeka Zoological Park, Kansas Museum of History, and Brown vs. Board of Education National Historic Site.
Achieving a cost-effective lifestyle can be pivotal in managing your monthly expenditures, especially given the ongoing upward trajectory of everday goods and housing prices. In Topeka, residents are fortunate to experience a cost of living that is 22.07% below the national average. This advantageous positioning extends its impact to a wide spectrum of expenses, encompassing not only goods and services but also transportation and health care costs. As a result, this area stands out as a place where your money stretches further, ensuring that you can maintain a more economical and sustainable lifestyle. This affordability becomes increasingly valuable in an era marked by soaring costs, making Topeka an attractive choice for those seeking financial prudence without compromising on quality of life.
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Topeka can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Being close to public transit, grocery stores, parks and other conveniences are all important when weighing your options for a new home in Topeka. Before you determine if any of these amenities are available in the area, you will also want to know if the real estate prices in Topeka are affordable. The median home price for Topeka homes is $105,700, which is 21.9% lower than the Kansas average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Topeka, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.1, which is 16% lower than the Kansas average.
| Statistic | Topeka | Kansas | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 19min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 80.2% | 82.2% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.3% | 9.3% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.5% | 0.5% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.2% | 0.3% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 2.4% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.7% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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