Living Cost Compare
Milwaukee

Wisconsin

$1,050/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 $1,050 in Milwaukee, WI versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 10% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Milwaukee, WI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $51,888 in Milwaukee, WI and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 7% higher in Topeka, KS. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Milwaukee, WI
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$841
$702
+17% in Milwaukee, WI
1 Bedroom
$849
$758
+11% in Milwaukee, WI
2 Bedroom
$1,031
$977
+5% in Milwaukee, WI
3 Bedroom
$1,193
$1,177
+1% in Milwaukee, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$172,000
$130,600
+24% in Milwaukee, WI

Income

Median Household Income
$51,888
$55,902
+8% in Topeka, KS
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$51,160
$49,540
+3% in Milwaukee, WI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
32.2 yr
38.2 yr
+6.0 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
41.5%
59.2%
+17.7 pp in Topeka, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
26.6%
29.1%
+2.5 pp in Topeka, KS
Avg Commute
22.4 min
16.7 min
+5.7 min in Milwaukee, WI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
1,452.3
856.5
+41% in Milwaukee, WI
Property Crime
2,772.2
3,660.2
+32% 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
47.9°F
55.1°F
+7.2°F in Topeka, KS
Annual Precipitation
34.8 in
36.5 in
+1.7 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.85/gal
$3.85/gal
about equal

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.25
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.6
15.7
+20% in Milwaukee, WI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.17
$25.12
+38% 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 (WI / KS)
5%
6.5%
+1.5 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
7.65%
5.58%
+2.1 pp in WI

Milwaukee vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Milwaukee or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% below Milwaukee, WI's $1,050, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Milwaukee than in Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Milwaukee versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Milwaukee or Topeka?
Milwaukee is taxed under Wisconsin's rules (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 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).