Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Montgomery, AL's $1,020, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Montgomery versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Topeka?

Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Montgomery vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Montgomery

Alabama

$1,020/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,020 in Montgomery, AL versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Montgomery, AL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,687 in Montgomery, AL and $55,902 in Topeka, KS. Alabama has a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Montgomery, AL

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$864

$702

+19% in Montgomery, AL

1 Bedroom

$831

$758

+9% in Montgomery, AL

2 Bedroom

$982

$977

+1% in Montgomery, AL

3 Bedroom

$1,172

$1,177

+0% in Topeka, KS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$148,500

$130,600

+12% in Montgomery, AL

Income

Median Household Income

$55,687

$55,902

+0% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$44,950

$49,540

+10% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.2 yr

38.2 yr

+2.0 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

54.3%

59.2%

+4.9 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

29.1%

+4.4 pp in Montgomery, AL

Avg Commute

20.5 min

16.7 min

+3.8 min in Montgomery, AL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

605.5

856.5

+41% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,258.3

3,660.2

+62% 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

65.1°F

55.1°F

+10.0°F in Montgomery, AL

Annual Precipitation

53.1 in

36.5 in

+16.6 in in Montgomery, AL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.85/gal

+6% in Topeka, KS

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

15.7

+4% in Montgomery, AL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.06

$25.12

+4% 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 Montgomery, AL

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 (AL / KS)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.00%

5.58%

+0.6 pp in KS

Montgomery vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Montgomery or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Montgomery, AL's $1,020, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Montgomery than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $33,000 a year in Montgomery versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Montgomery or Topeka?: Montgomery is taxed under Alabama's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.00% and a 4% 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).