Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Manchester, NH's $1,420, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Manchester versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Manchester or Topeka?

Manchester is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Manchester vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Manchester

New Hampshire

$1,420/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,420 in Manchester, NH versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Manchester, NH, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,415 in Manchester, NH and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 28% higher in Manchester, NH. New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Manchester, NH

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$880

$702

+20% in Manchester, NH

1 Bedroom

$1,150

$758

+34% in Manchester, NH

2 Bedroom

$1,593

$977

+39% in Manchester, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,661

$1,177

+29% in Manchester, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$336,300

$130,600

+61% in Manchester, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$77,415

$55,902

+28% in Manchester, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$56,530

$49,540

+12% in Manchester, NH

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.9 yr

38.2 yr

+0.3 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

49.3%

59.2%

+9.9 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

29.1%

+4.4 pp in Manchester, NH

Avg Commute

23.8 min

16.7 min

+7.1 min in Manchester, NH

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

339.5

856.5

+152% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

1,691.4

3,660.2

+116% 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

49.2°F

55.1°F

+5.9°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

44.6 in

36.5 in

+8.1 in in Manchester, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Manchester, NH

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

27.0

15.7

+42% in Manchester, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.67

$25.12

+16% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Manchester, NH

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Manchester, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Manchester, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Manchester, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NH / KS)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.58%

+5.6 pp in KS

Manchester vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Manchester or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Manchester, NH's $1,420, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Manchester than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $46,000 a year in Manchester versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Manchester or Topeka?: Manchester is taxed under New Hampshire's rules (no state income tax and no 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).