San Angelo receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Topeka
San Angelo
Opportunity
52 · Bottom 42%
vs66 · Top 29%
Growth
44 · Bottom 40%
vs60 · Top 33%
Climate
68 · Top 46%
vs65 · Bottom 47%
Physical resilience
64 · Top 38%
vs72 · Top 25%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs95 · Top 49%
Access
97 · Top 12%
vs97 · Top 12%
Economic stability
70 · Top 25%
vs69 · Top 26%
Measured values
| Metric | Topeka | San Angelo | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 232,468 | 120,986 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,888 | $68,419 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $37,837 | $35,909 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 72/sq mi | 47/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $183,200 | $197,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $971 | $1,155 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 70.2% | 65.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% | 3.9% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.4% | 0.5% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.1% | 25.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 11.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 569 | 366 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.4 | 3.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -12.1% | 25.8% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 90°F | 97°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 34°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 36.5" | 20.9" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 10 mi | 10 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.3 min | 20.7 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 40.1 | 36.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Topeka
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
San Angelo
Elevated or high exposure: drought, hail, wildfire.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Topeka
71
Your Score
66
Area Score
San Angelo
75
Your Score
73
Area Score
Select your priorities to see which of the two fits them better.
Full profiles: Topeka, KS Metro Area · San Angelo, TX Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology