Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Topeka?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Bellevue, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 36% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$702

+37% in Bellevue, NE

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$758

+25% in Bellevue, NE

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$977

+18% in Bellevue, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,177

+29% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$130,600

+43% in Bellevue, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$55,902

+36% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$49,540

+0% in Bellevue, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

38.2 yr

+2.1 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

65.5%

59.2%

+6.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

29.1%

+4.3 pp in Bellevue, NE

Avg Commute

20.8 min

16.7 min

+4.1 min in Bellevue, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

856.5

+750% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

1,149.4

3,660.2

+218% 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

51.1°F

55.1°F

+4.0°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

36.5 in

+5.8 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.3

15.7

+19% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.10

$25.12

+25% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / KS)

5.5%

6.5%

+1.0 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

5.58%

+1.0 pp in KS

Bellevue vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Bellevue, NE's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Topeka?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).