Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Anchorage, AK's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Topeka?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Topeka?

Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Anchorage vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Anchorage

Alaska

$1,330/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,330 in Anchorage, AK versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Anchorage, AK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $98,152 in Anchorage, AK and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 43% higher in Anchorage, AK. Alaska has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Anchorage, AK

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,001

$702

+30% in Anchorage, AK

1 Bedroom

$1,052

$758

+28% in Anchorage, AK

2 Bedroom

$1,433

$977

+32% in Anchorage, AK

3 Bedroom

$1,952

$1,177

+40% in Anchorage, AK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$375,900

$130,600

+65% in Anchorage, AK

Income

Median Household Income

$98,152

$55,902

+43% in Anchorage, AK

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,200

$49,540

+18% in Anchorage, AK

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.9 yr

38.2 yr

+3.3 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

63.7%

59.2%

+4.5 pp in Anchorage, AK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

37.7%

29.1%

+8.6 pp in Anchorage, AK

Avg Commute

19.0 min

16.7 min

+2.3 min in Anchorage, AK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,016.5

856.5

+16% in Anchorage, AK

Property Crime

2,796.2

3,660.2

+31% in Topeka, KS

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

37.4°F

55.1°F

+17.7°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

17.9 in

36.5 in

+18.6 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Anchorage, AK

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.2

15.7

+44% in Anchorage, AK

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.35

$25.12

+45% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Anchorage, AK

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Anchorage, AK

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Anchorage, AK

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Anchorage, AK

Average prices — West vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AK / KS)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.58%

+5.6 pp in KS

Anchorage vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Anchorage or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Anchorage, AK's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Anchorage than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $42,000 a year in Anchorage versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Anchorage or Topeka?: Anchorage is taxed under Alaska's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).