Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Topeka?

Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Aurora vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Aurora

Colorado

$1,310/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,310 in Aurora, CO versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Aurora, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $85,364 in Aurora, CO and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 35% higher in Aurora, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Aurora, CO

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

—

$702

1 Bedroom

$1,138

$758

+33% in Aurora, CO

2 Bedroom

$2,284

$977

+57% in Aurora, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,320

$1,177

+49% in Aurora, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$689,000

$130,600

+81% in Aurora, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$85,364

$55,902

+35% in Aurora, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$49,540

+21% in Aurora, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.3 yr

38.2 yr

+2.9 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

46.0%

59.2%

+13.2 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.4%

29.1%

+12.3 pp in Aurora, CO

Avg Commute

18.7 min

16.7 min

+2.0 min in Aurora, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

952.9

856.5

+10% in Aurora, CO

Property Crime

3,368.1

3,660.2

+9% 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

50.2°F

55.1°F

+4.9°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

36.5 in

+20.9 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.85/gal

+7% in Aurora, CO

Area: Colorado vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — RTD vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.1

15.7

+8% in Aurora, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.05

$25.12

+67% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Aurora, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Aurora, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Aurora, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Aurora, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / KS)

2.9%

6.5%

+3.6 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.58%

+1.2 pp in KS

Aurora vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Aurora or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Aurora, CO's $1,310, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Aurora than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Aurora versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Aurora or Topeka?: Aurora is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% 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).