Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Burlington, VT's $1,540, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Topeka?

Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Burlington vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Burlington

Vermont

$1,540/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,540 in Burlington, VT versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Burlington, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $68,854 in Burlington, VT and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 19% higher in Burlington, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Burlington, VT

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,284

$702

+45% in Burlington, VT

1 Bedroom

$1,275

$758

+41% in Burlington, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,731

$977

+44% in Burlington, VT

3 Bedroom

$2,002

$1,177

+41% in Burlington, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$400,200

$130,600

+67% in Burlington, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$68,854

$55,902

+19% in Burlington, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,020

$49,540

+17% in Burlington, VT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

26.7 yr

38.2 yr

+11.5 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

39.8%

59.2%

+19.4 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

60.5%

29.1%

+31.4 pp in Burlington, VT

Avg Commute

19.2 min

16.7 min

+2.5 min in Burlington, VT

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

497.1

856.5

+72% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

4,408.9

3,660.2

+17% in Burlington, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

46.0°F

55.1°F

+9.1°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

36.8 in

36.5 in

+0.4 in in Burlington, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Burlington, VT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.4

15.7

+36% in Burlington, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$25.12

+4% in Burlington, VT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Burlington, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Burlington, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Burlington, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Burlington, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

5.58%

+3.2 pp in VT

Burlington vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Burlington or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Burlington, VT's $1,540, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Burlington than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $51,000 a year in Burlington versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Burlington or Topeka?: Burlington is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).