Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Topeka?

Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax 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).

Memphis vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Memphis

Tennessee

$1,110/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,110 in Memphis, TN versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,211 in Memphis, TN and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 8% higher in Topeka, KS. Tennessee has no state income tax and a 7% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Memphis, TN

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$877

$702

+20% in Memphis, TN

1 Bedroom

$948

$758

+20% in Memphis, TN

2 Bedroom

$1,073

$977

+9% in Memphis, TN

3 Bedroom

$1,281

$1,177

+8% in Memphis, TN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$157,100

$130,600

+17% in Memphis, TN

Income

Median Household Income

$51,211

$55,902

+9% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,890

$49,540

+6% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

38.2 yr

+3.9 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

46.0%

59.2%

+13.2 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

28.2%

29.1%

+0.9 pp in Topeka, KS

Avg Commute

21.3 min

16.7 min

+4.6 min in Memphis, TN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

2,507.6

856.5

+66% in Memphis, TN

Property Crime

6,966.3

3,660.2

+47% in Memphis, TN

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

63.1°F

55.1°F

+8.0°F in Memphis, TN

Annual Precipitation

53.7 in

36.5 in

+17.2 in in Memphis, TN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — MATA vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.1

15.7

+12% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.75

$25.12

+27% in Topeka, KS

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 Memphis, TN

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 (TN / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in TN

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.58%

+5.6 pp in KS

Memphis vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Memphis or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Memphis, TN's $1,110, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Memphis than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Memphis versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Memphis or Topeka?: Memphis is taxed under Tennessee's rules (no state income tax 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).