Living Cost Compare
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,160/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 $1,160 in Indianapolis, IN versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Indianapolis, IN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 11% higher in Indianapolis, IN. Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Indianapolis, IN
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$933
$702
+25% in Indianapolis, IN
1 Bedroom
$963
$758
+21% in Indianapolis, IN
2 Bedroom
$1,132
$977
+14% in Indianapolis, IN
3 Bedroom
$1,304
$1,177
+10% in Indianapolis, IN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$207,000
$130,600
+37% in Indianapolis, IN

Income

Median Household Income
$62,995
$55,902
+11% in Indianapolis, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,340
$49,540
+0% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.1 yr
38.2 yr
+4.1 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
55.3%
59.2%
+3.9 pp in Topeka, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.2%
29.1%
+5.1 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
24.3 min
16.7 min
+7.6 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
936.6
856.5
+9% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,351.7
3,660.2
+9% 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
53.2°F
55.1°F
+1.9°F in Topeka, KS
Annual Precipitation
42.4 in
36.5 in
+6.0 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

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

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$1.75
—

Adult base one-way fare — IndyGo vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
17.5
15.7
+10% in Indianapolis, IN
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$24.52
$25.12
+2% 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 (IN / KS)
7%
6.5%
+0.5 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
2.95%
5.58%
+2.6 pp in KS

Indianapolis vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Indianapolis or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Indianapolis, IN's $1,160, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Indianapolis than in Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Indianapolis versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Indianapolis or Topeka?
Indianapolis is taxed under Indiana's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).