Topeka, Kansas: Facts, Highlights and Statistics
Amidst the rolling hills of cotton, corn and winter wheat, where fields of sunflowers crane their petals toward the setting Kansas sun, rises a small city with a big Midwestern spirit — Topeka. This capital city that normally flies under the radar has also stood in some of the hottest historic spotlights in America, from pre-Civil War conflicts to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.
So, what does Topeka mean? According to the experts, the word has Indigenous but uncertain origins, and it may mean either “a good place to dig potatoes,” which gardeners in the city may still debate, or “smoky hill,” which offers a perhaps more fleeting impression of a city that is — thankfully — not known for its air pollution.
What Topeka is better known for is its small-but-mighty cultural scene, which includes gems like the Mulvane Art Museum, the NOTO Arts District, and the Kansas State Capitol. Then there are the amazing outdoor spaces like Lake Shawnee and Gage Park. Family-friendly festivals like the Miracle on Kansas Ave. and Tulip Time mark the seasons with a community spirit you’d be hard-pressed to find in larger cities.
The population of Topeka may be stalled at around 125,000, but the city is incentivizing individuals and start-ups to relocate here through the Choose Topeka program. Another benefit that really sells itself? The city’s low unemployment rates. Both public and private employers — from the state to Washburn University and Stormont Vale Health — offer a diverse array of jobs and career paths for newcomers to pursue.
In this moving guide, we’ll dig into facts about Topeka, Kansas, from the cost of living to the job market, educational options, relocation incentives, and our favorite ways to have fun. If you’re thinking of moving to Topeka, learn more about life in eastern Kansas below.
11 Reasons to Move to Topeka
Low Cost of Living
Despite housing bubbles continuing to burst all over the U.S., Topeka’s real estate market hasn’t even begun squeezing buyers or renters. The median home value in the Kansas state capital averaged just $130,600, and the median gross rent has yet to average even $1,000/month. Home values across the state of Kansas average just $203,400, while the national average has spiked to $303,400.
Topeka real estate is also less expensive than larger cities in the region, like Lawrence, where homes average $269,500 and Kansas City (MO), where homes average $227,000.
While income levels in Topeka are also far below the national average — $55,902 compared to $78,538 — homeownership rates don’t lag comparably behind. Still, nearly 60% of Topeka residents own their own property, which is just five points off the U.S. average. So, if you’re considering buying a home in Topeka, the market may very well work to your advantage.
But housing isn’t the only factor influencing the cost of living in Topeka. You’ll also need to consider the expense of everyday essentials, like groceries and medical care. Here’s what the MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates two working adults without children should budget for common household expenses:
- Food: $7,621
- Medical: $6,784
- Housing: $9,062
- Transportation: $11,675
- Civic: $5,504
- Internet/Mobile: $2,138
- Miscellaneous: $7,900
- Taxes: $7,752
These basic expenses demand at least $58,435 — a figure just above the actual Topeka average. Curious how your salary might be affected by a move to Topeka? See what typical salaries are for popular careers in the city.
Diverse Job Market
Wondering what working in Topeka might be like? We’ve got the scoop on careers in the Kansas state capital.
Topeka’s unemployment rate, which stood at just 3.6% in April 2025, has largely kept pace or surpassed the national average, occasionally tipping above 4%, in the last six months. Year over year, this has resulted in a largely stable job market in Topeka, with only a handful of industries experiencing declines, which have all been largely negligible.
The single largest sector in the city is the government, which supports more than 27,000 jobs in Topeka — 8,100 of which are directly supported by the state of Kansas. Thanks to Washburn University and the Unified School District 501, the education and health services sector is also prominent, supplying more than 20,000 jobs in the region. Many Topekans find work at Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, which has roughly 4,000 employees.
Trade, transportation and utilities supplies more than 17,000 jobs, including 1,800 at the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe railroad, and more than 20,000 work between the professional and business services and financial activities sectors, with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas employees numbering more than 1,500.
Other major employers in Topeka include Goodyear Tire & Rubber, University of KS Medical St. Francis Campus, Colmery O’Neil VA Medical Center and Reser’s Fine Foods.
The downtown area is slated to be revitalized to boost the local economy and drive community growth, and Topeka is making an effort to attract new workers and invest in employers in the region. Grants and initiatives like Go Topeka provide grants to small businesses to support everything from equipment purchases to marketing. So, if you’re already operating a small business in another city, or you’ve always dreamed of starting one, this might be your chance to leap into entrepreneurship.
Quality Education Options
Topeka Public Schools (TPS) serve a diverse population of 13,000 students in Shawnee County. TPS maintains two magnet schools and five “signature campuses” with different academic focuses, from music to STEAM to leadership. Holton High School is ranked #26 in the state by the U.S. News & World Report, which also awarded it a U.S. News Best High School Award Badge for its academic excellence. All high school students receive college prep and career guidance. Private and religious academies are also popular in Topeka, like Cair Paravel Latin School, which runs from pre-K through 12th.
When the kids are ready for college, Topeka has easy access to several well-respected institutions of higher learning. Washburn University — founded in 1865 — is in the heart of the city, and students who want to stay close to home will find a wide range of academic programs to suit their interests, from literature to economics. Washburn Tech provides job training programs in nursing, construction, and other industries, providing a direct pipeline to hands-on careers. The University of Kansas is just a half hour away in Lawrence, and Kansas State University, located in Manhattan, is just an hour’s drive west.
Relocation Incentives
Unlike Kansas City and Wichita, Topeka’s population has contracted over the last 10 years. And although losses have been minimal — the city shed only 2,000 of its 125,000 — this is still not the direction Topeka wants to move toward. To that end, the government launched the Choose Topeka program, which incentivizes relocations to the city and Shawnee County. Newcomers must meet eligibility requirements to qualify for enrollment, but the benefits can include up to $15K in housing assistance, plus additional discretionary funds.
Focus on Safety and Community Policing
Public Safety in Topeka has been a major focus of the city’s police force, which recently launched PACT: Police and Community Together. This new initiative aims to build a stronger coalition between the police department and the community they serve by working together as a collaborative partnership. Existing programs like Code Red allow residents to enroll in an emergency alert program to notify them of dangerous situations, from boil orders to disaster evacuations and missing child alerts.
Short Commute Times
If you’re accustomed to big-city traffic, moving to Topeka will give you a buy-back on your lost time. The average commute in Topeka is less than 17 minutes — a far cry from the nearly 27-minute average in the U.S. Those extra minutes of your day can make a huge difference, giving you more time to run errands, make dinner or just relax. Public transportation is limited to the bus in Topeka, but service is affordable — a regular-price day pass is $4 and an annual pass is $300. Exterior bike racks are available on every bus, but these only hold three bikes at a time, and they cannot accommodate e-bikes, child-size bikes or bikes with child carriers. A bummer for parents accustomed to traveling with the littles in tow.
Historic Significance
Most American cities have historic sites, but few have actually been the site of such pivotal cultural change as this city. Topeka is known for one of the most fundamental battles for equality in U.S. history. When the NAACP filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Oliver Brown, whose daughter was denied admission to an all-white Topeka school, they may have hoped — but could not have known — that their win would eventually ignite the Civil Rights Movement. At the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, visitors can explore the impacts of the landmark 1954 decision and visit the formerly segregated Monroe School, learning how far we’ve come and how far we have left to journey.
Other historic sites in this eastern Kansas city include the Kansas State Capitol Building and Constitution Hall, a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Historic Site opening in 2025.
Family-Friendly Environment
One of the biggest selling points for young families considering a move to Topeka are all the kid-friendly activities across the city.
In addition to the many outdoor spaces highlighted below, families raising children in Topeka will enjoy spending time together at the Topeka Zoo, watching E.T. or Coco at Friday Flicks in Evergy Plaza, or trying out new activities like family rowing lessons in Gage Park. The Shawnee North Sports Complex offers youth soccer, T-ball and flag football leagues, among others.
Indoor fun is always in store at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center, where kids can build their own city, create an adaptable aqueduct at the brand-new Kansas Water exhibit and make illuminated images on the giant light board.
Outdoor and Recreational Spaces
Topeka may not have mountains or the sea but the outdoors is still the place to be in the Kansas state capital. This city boasts a whopping 109 public greenspaces, which include skate parks, fishing ponds and 60 miles of trails.
With a charming carousel, a stunning rose garden, the colorful mini-train and the Topeka Zoo, Gage Park is one of Topeka’s top hangouts. The aquatic center has multiple diving platforms and slides, so your kids can practice their forward flips, twisting pikes and other daredevilry while you relax with a paperback.
When you really need a day at the beach, Lake Shawnee has everything but the ocean air — sandy shores, fishing docks and volleyball courts — even an aquatic playground. With all the fun activities, what you’ll really want to do is spend the whole weekend here — and many families do just that. Rent a campsite and spend your time gazing at the lake (instead of your phones) and go into the workweek restored. If you’re really dedicated to lake living, you may want to look into a membership at Sherwood Lake. This privately owned recreation area is ringed with beautiful homes and has its own sailing club.
Arts and Culture Scene
Topeka may only have 125,000 residents, but you’d never know it by the size of its art scene. The Mulvane Art Museum — located on the campus of Washburn University — has more than 6,000 objects in its permanent collection and curates exciting temporary shows every year. The NOTO Arts & Entertainment District creates a true hub of creativity in the capital, bringing together art galleries, restaurants and shops, all among a collection of 40 works of public art. Each month, you can catch live performances at First Fridays Music at Redbud Park, and poets, puppeteers and thespians make appearances at other events throughout the year in Downtown Topeka.
Lively Local Events and Festivals
Topeka may not be the biggest star in the state of Kansas but it’s certainly one of its brightest when it comes to community events. Annual gatherings like the Juneteenth Parade, Tulip Time and Fiesta Topeka — which was established in 1933 — bring everyone together for citywide celebrations. One of the all-time favorite festivals in Topeka is the annual holiday parade, the Miracle on Kansas Ave. Now in its 31st year, the parade treats your family to performances by a marching band, charming floats and — of course — an appearance of the jolly old man in the big red suit.
You can also meet up with your friends and neighbors at weekly Topeka events, like the Downtown Topeka Farmer’s Market or the Breadbasket Farmers Market on the city’s west side. This May, the Summer Night Food Truck Festival brought everyone out for local bites, from Ronn’s Jazzy Doggs to birria from El Zocalo.
One of the oldest gathering spots in the city is the Historic Jayhawk Theatre, which has been hosting productions since 1926. This treasured hall was once the city’s movie palace, but it now presents everything from stand-up acts to dance performances on its gorgeous stage. You can even rent it for special events.
So, is Topeka a Good Place to Live?
Let’s take a look at some of the major pros and cons of living in Topeka. Life in the Kansas state capital is far more affordable than the average American city, and the lower cost of real estate and everyday expenses can really be a help, especially to younger couples and families. Institutions like Washburn University, Stormont Vail Health and robust school options provide ideal community support.
The stable job market makes it an appealing place to consider a career move, and the city is currently offering financial incentives for those considering a move to Topeka, including entrepreneurs looking to start a new business.
Topeka also has an outsized cultural and recreational scene, with creative hubs like the NOTO Arts District complementing the vast array of outdoor spaces like Gage Park and Lake Shawnee.
The downsides of living in Topeka are that it is smaller than most urban-dwelling Americans are used to, and this means that there aren’t as many things to do as you’ll find in other major Midwestern metros like Kansas City, St. Louis or Chicago. And, income levels are lower here than the U.S. average, so your paycheck may not be as large as it is in districts with higher real estate costs. Still, these things may be manageable trade-offs for all the benefits a city like Topeka can offer. If you’re set to move, let United Van Lines handle your relocation.
Get Going with America’s #1 Mover®
Now that you’ve gotten a closer look at what life is like in Topeka, you’ve got some big decisions to make about your move. United Van Lines has worked with millions of families just like yours for almost a century, helping them relocate to cities across the U.S. In fact, we’re America’s #1 Mover®. Have United handle your move to Topeka.
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