Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Lexington, KY's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Topeka?

Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).

Lexington vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Lexington

Kentucky

$1,080/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Lexington, KY versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lexington, KY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $67,631 in Lexington, KY and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 17% higher in Lexington, KY. Kentucky has a top state income tax rate of 3.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lexington, KY

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$769

$702

+9% in Lexington, KY

1 Bedroom

$887

$758

+15% in Lexington, KY

2 Bedroom

$1,119

$977

+13% in Lexington, KY

3 Bedroom

$1,408

$1,177

+16% in Lexington, KY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$272,100

$130,600

+52% in Lexington, KY

Income

Median Household Income

$67,631

$55,902

+17% in Lexington, KY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$48,620

$49,540

+2% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.2 yr

+3.0 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

53.6%

59.2%

+5.6 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.3%

29.1%

+18.2 pp in Lexington, KY

Avg Commute

20.8 min

16.7 min

+4.1 min in Lexington, KY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

269.1

856.5

+218% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,304.4

3,660.2

+59% 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

55.6°F

55.1°F

+0.5°F in Lexington, KY

Annual Precipitation

45.2 in

36.5 in

+8.7 in in Lexington, KY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.3

15.7

+10% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.20

$25.12

+24% in Lexington, KY

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 Lexington, KY

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 (KY / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

3.50%

5.58%

+2.1 pp in KS

Lexington vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Lexington, KY's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lexington than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lexington versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Lexington or Topeka?: Lexington is taxed under Kentucky's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.50% 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).