Living Cost Compare
Des Moines

Iowa

$1,050/mo est.

vs
Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,050 in Des Moines, IA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Des Moines, IA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $63,966 in Des Moines, IA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 13% higher in Des Moines, IA. Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Des Moines, IA
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$870
$702
+19% in Des Moines, IA
1 Bedroom
$870
$758
+13% in Des Moines, IA
2 Bedroom
$1,099
$977
+11% in Des Moines, IA
3 Bedroom
$1,334
$1,177
+12% in Des Moines, IA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$183,700
$130,600
+29% in Des Moines, IA

Income

Median Household Income
$63,966
$55,902
+13% in Des Moines, IA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,820
$49,540
+4% in Des Moines, IA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.6 yr
38.2 yr
+3.6 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
60.4%
59.2%
+1.2 pp in Des Moines, IA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
29.0%
29.1%
+0.1 pp in Topeka, KS
Avg Commute
19.6 min
16.7 min
+2.9 min in Des Moines, IA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
707.3
856.5
+21% in Topeka, KS
Property Crime
3,156.6
3,660.2
+16% 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
50.9°F
55.1°F
+4.2°F in Topeka, KS
Annual Precipitation
36.0 in
36.5 in
+0.4 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
15.9
15.7
+1% in Des Moines, IA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.16
$25.12
+13% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.66
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.77
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.10
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IA / KS)
6%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
3.80%
5.58%
+1.8 pp in KS

Des Moines vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Des Moines or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Des Moines, IA's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Des Moines than in Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Des Moines versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Des Moines or Topeka?
Des Moines is taxed under Iowa's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% 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).