Is it cheaper to live in Long Beach or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Long Beach, CA's $1,970, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $65,000 a year in Long Beach versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Long Beach or Topeka?

Long Beach is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Long Beach vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Long Beach

California

$1,970/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,970 in Long Beach, CA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 52% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Long Beach, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,969 in Long Beach, CA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 33% higher in Long Beach, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Long Beach, CA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,447

$702

+51% in Long Beach, CA

1 Bedroom

$1,634

$758

+54% in Long Beach, CA

2 Bedroom

$1,979

$977

+51% in Long Beach, CA

3 Bedroom

$2,360

$1,177

+50% in Long Beach, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$762,200

$130,600

+83% in Long Beach, CA

Income

Median Household Income

$83,969

$55,902

+33% in Long Beach, CA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,850

$49,540

+11% in Long Beach, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.8 yr

38.2 yr

+1.4 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

40.9%

59.2%

+18.3 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.8%

29.1%

+5.7 pp in Long Beach, CA

Avg Commute

30.0 min

16.7 min

+13.3 min in Long Beach, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

690

856.5

+24% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,584.4

3,660.2

+2% 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

64.7°F

55.1°F

+9.6°F in Long Beach, CA

Annual Precipitation

12.3 in

36.5 in

+24.2 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.53/gal

$3.85/gal

+30% in Long Beach, CA

Area: Los Angeles vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

—

Adult base one-way fare — Long Beach Transit vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

34.7

15.7

+55% in Long Beach, CA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.33

$25.12

+24% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Long Beach, CA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Long Beach, CA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Long Beach, CA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Long Beach, CA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / KS)

7.25%

6.5%

+0.8 pp in CA

Income Tax (top rate)

13.30%

5.58%

+7.7 pp in CA

Long Beach vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Long Beach or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 52% below Long Beach, CA's $1,970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Long Beach than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $65,000 a year in Long Beach versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Long Beach or Topeka?: Long Beach is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% 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).