Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Topeka?

Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).

Columbia vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Columbia

South Carolina

$1,220/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,220 in Columbia, SC versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 23% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,653 in Columbia, SC and $55,902 in Topeka, KS. South Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 6.00% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Columbia, SC

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$802

$702

+12% in Columbia, SC

1 Bedroom

$1,026

$758

+26% in Columbia, SC

2 Bedroom

$1,164

$977

+16% in Columbia, SC

3 Bedroom

$1,338

$1,177

+12% in Columbia, SC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$243,500

$130,600

+46% in Columbia, SC

Income

Median Household Income

$55,653

$55,902

+0% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,430

$49,540

+7% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

28.7 yr

38.2 yr

+9.5 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

47.3%

59.2%

+11.9 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.1%

29.1%

+17.0 pp in Columbia, SC

Avg Commute

17.4 min

16.7 min

+0.7 min in Columbia, SC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

769.9

856.5

+11% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,265.1

3,660.2

+12% 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

64.9°F

55.1°F

+9.8°F in Columbia, SC

Annual Precipitation

45.4 in

36.5 in

+8.9 in in Columbia, SC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Columbia, SC

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.6

15.7

+1% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.07

$25.12

+14% in Columbia, SC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Topeka, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Columbia, SC

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Topeka, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SC / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

6.00%

5.58%

+0.4 pp in SC

Columbia vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbia or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 23% below Columbia, SC's $1,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbia than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Columbia versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Columbia or Topeka?: Columbia is taxed under South Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.00% 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).