Living Cost Compare
Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Lincoln, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $69,991 in Lincoln, NE and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 20% higher in Lincoln, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Lincoln, NE
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$851
$702
+18% in Lincoln, NE
1 Bedroom
$879
$758
+14% in Lincoln, NE
2 Bedroom
$1,070
$977
+9% in Lincoln, NE
3 Bedroom
$1,379
$1,177
+15% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$248,200
$130,600
+47% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income
$69,991
$55,902
+20% in Lincoln, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,800
$49,540
+1% in Lincoln, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
33.4 yr
38.2 yr
+4.8 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
55.8%
59.2%
+3.4 pp in Topeka, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
41.0%
29.1%
+11.9 pp in Lincoln, NE
Avg Commute
18.3 min
16.7 min
+1.6 min in Lincoln, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
363.1
856.5
+136% in Topeka, KS
Property Crime
2,484.4
3,660.2
+47% 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
51.5°F
55.1°F
+3.6°F in Topeka, KS
Annual Precipitation
30.9 in
36.5 in
+5.6 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)
13.3
15.7
+19% in Topeka, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.10
$25.12
+25% 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 (NE / KS)
5.5%
6.5%
+1.0 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.55%
5.58%
+1.0 pp in KS

Lincoln vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Lincoln or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Lincoln, NE's $1,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Lincoln than in Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Lincoln versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Lincoln or Topeka?
Lincoln is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).