Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Topeka?

Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% 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).

Jackson vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,000/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,000 in Jackson, MS versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Jackson, MS, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $43,238 in Jackson, MS and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 23% higher in Topeka, KS. Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Jackson, MS

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,085

$702

+35% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$816

$758

+7% in Jackson, MS

2 Bedroom

$991

$977

+1% in Jackson, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,121

$1,177

+5% in Topeka, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$108,200

$130,600

+21% in Topeka, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$43,238

$55,902

+29% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$42,850

$49,540

+16% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

38.2 yr

+3.5 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

48.6%

59.2%

+10.6 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.6%

29.1%

+0.5 pp in Topeka, KS

Avg Commute

20.2 min

16.7 min

+3.5 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

—

856.5

Property Crime

—

3,660.2

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.3°F

55.1°F

+10.2°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

54.3 in

36.5 in

+17.9 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Topeka, KS

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.7

+6% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$29.04

$25.12

+13% in Jackson, MS

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 Jackson, MS

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 (MS / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.00%

5.58%

+1.6 pp in KS

Jackson vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Jackson or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Jackson, MS's $1,000, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Jackson than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Jackson versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Jackson or Topeka?: Jackson is taxed under Mississippi's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% 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).