Columbus, NE vs Topeka, KS
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.
Columbus
81.8
#35 nationally
Topeka
73.5
#729 nationally
Columbus leads in crime level (2.3 vs 23.5). Columbus leads in average commute (12.4 min vs 17.1 min). Columbus leads in median household income ($65,341 vs $54,052).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Columbus, NE | Topeka, KS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 81.8 (#35) | 73.5 (#729) |
| Population | 24,464 | 125,475 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $273,170 | $198,385 |
| Median Household Income | $65,341 | $54,052 |
| Average Commute | 12.4 min | 17.1 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | N/A |
| Crime Level | 2.3 | 23.5 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 93 | 87 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+58.3 | Even |
Data coverage note: Topeka is missing data for 1 metric that Columbus has. Scores with less coverage are penalized — see our methodology.
B-
81.8 Score
Columbus, NE
Small Nebraska city with local appeal
Median Home
$273,170
Population
24,464
Crime
Low
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View Columbus, NE →
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 →