Is Topeka expensive to live in?

Topeka is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $758 per month ranks #148 of 158 and is 27% lower than the $1,043 median.

What is the average rent in Topeka?

Average rent in Topeka, KS runs a studio around $702, a one-bedroom around $758, a two-bedroom around $977, a three-bedroom around $1,177 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Topeka?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $758 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. The median household income here is $55,902.

How much does it cost to live in Topeka per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Topeka is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Topeka, KS

Population 126,103 · Kansas

~$940/mo est.1BR $758Home $130,600

Photo: Megan Burns / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Topeka, KS is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $758 a month — 27% lower than the $1,043 median across the 158 large US cities we track. Studios average $702 and two-bedrooms $977.

Median household income here is $55,902, 17% lower than the $67,696 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $940 before food and transport. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $758

Studio

$702

1 Bedroom

$758

2 Bedroom

$977

3 Bedroom

$1,177

Buying a Home$130,600

Median Home Value

$130,600

Income$55,902

Median Household Income

$55,902

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,540

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.66

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities15.7¢/kWh

Electricity

15.7¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$25.12/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-06-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$3.85/gal

Regular Gasoline (Midwest (PADD 2))

$3.85/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-31.

State Taxes (KS)6.5% sales

State Sales Tax

6.50%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 5.58%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime856.5 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

856.5

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,660.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Topeka Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 38.2 yrs

Median Age

38.2 yrs

Homeownership

59.2%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.1%

Avg Commute

16.7 min

Climate55.1°F

Avg Annual Temperature

55.1°F

Annual Precipitation

36.5 in

Topeka cost of living — FAQ

Is Topeka expensive to live in?: Topeka is among the more affordable of the 158 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $758 per month ranks #148 of 158 and is 27% lower than the $1,043 median.
What is the average rent in Topeka?: Average rent in Topeka, KS runs a studio around $702, a one-bedroom around $758, a two-bedroom around $977, a three-bedroom around $1,177 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Topeka?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $758 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year. The median household income here is $55,902.
How much does it cost to live in Topeka per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Topeka is about $940 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Topeka with nearby cities

Topeka vs Overland Park Topeka vs Kansas City Topeka vs Wichita Topeka vs Lincoln Topeka vs Bellevue Topeka vs Omaha

Nearby cities

Overland Park, KS 54 mi Kansas City, MO 59 mi Wichita, KS 130 mi Lincoln, NE 134 mi Bellevue, NE 146 mi Omaha, NE 153 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.