Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Columbus, GA's $1,090, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Topeka?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Columbus, GA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 1% higher in Columbus, GA. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$826

$702

+15% in Columbus, GA

1 Bedroom

$875

$758

+13% in Columbus, GA

2 Bedroom

$991

$977

+1% in Columbus, GA

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,177

+4% in Columbus, GA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$130,600

+28% in Columbus, GA

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$55,902

+1% in Columbus, GA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$49,540

+14% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

38.2 yr

+3.1 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

50.2%

59.2%

+9.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

29.1%

+0.6 pp in Columbus, GA

Avg Commute

20.2 min

16.7 min

+3.5 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

856.5

+40% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,273.4

3,660.2

+61% 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

65.7°F

55.1°F

+10.6°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

36.5 in

+10.3 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Columbus, GA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.7

+4% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$25.12

+35% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / KS)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

5.58%

+0.4 pp in KS

Columbus vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Columbus, GA's $1,090, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Topeka?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).