Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Topeka?

Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Cincinnati vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Cincinnati

Ohio

$1,030/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,030 in Cincinnati, OH versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Cincinnati, OH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,707 in Cincinnati, OH and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 8% higher in Topeka, KS. Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Cincinnati, OH

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$791

$702

+11% in Cincinnati, OH

1 Bedroom

$817

$758

+7% in Cincinnati, OH

2 Bedroom

$1,023

$977

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

3 Bedroom

$1,228

$1,177

+4% in Cincinnati, OH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$215,300

$130,600

+39% in Cincinnati, OH

Income

Median Household Income

$51,707

$55,902

+8% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,170

$49,540

+1% in Cincinnati, OH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.0 yr

38.2 yr

+5.2 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

38.9%

59.2%

+20.3 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

41.3%

29.1%

+12.2 pp in Cincinnati, OH

Avg Commute

23.1 min

16.7 min

+6.4 min in Cincinnati, OH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

856.5

about equal

Property Crime

3,877.7

3,660.2

+6% in Cincinnati, OH

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

54.3°F

55.1°F

+0.8°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

41.9 in

36.5 in

+5.5 in in Cincinnati, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.80/gal

$3.85/gal

+1% in Topeka, KS

Area: Ohio vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.2

15.7

+18% in Cincinnati, OH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.83

$25.12

+10% 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 (OH / KS)

5.75%

6.5%

+0.8 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

2.75%

5.58%

+2.8 pp in KS

Cincinnati vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Cincinnati or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Cincinnati, OH's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Cincinnati than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Cincinnati versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Cincinnati or Topeka?: Cincinnati is taxed under Ohio's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).