Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Topeka?

Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Norfolk vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Norfolk

Virginia

$1,230/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,230 in Norfolk, VA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 24% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Norfolk, VA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,017 in Norfolk, VA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 13% higher in Norfolk, VA. Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Norfolk, VA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,102

$702

+36% in Norfolk, VA

1 Bedroom

$1,032

$758

+27% in Norfolk, VA

2 Bedroom

$1,214

$977

+20% in Norfolk, VA

3 Bedroom

$1,602

$1,177

+27% in Norfolk, VA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$271,900

$130,600

+52% in Norfolk, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,017

$55,902

+13% in Norfolk, VA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,430

$49,540

+0% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.4 yr

38.2 yr

+5.8 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

45.7%

59.2%

+13.5 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.7%

29.1%

+3.6 pp in Norfolk, VA

Avg Commute

22.9 min

16.7 min

+6.2 min in Norfolk, VA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

479.5

856.5

+79% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,800.7

3,660.2

+4% in Norfolk, VA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

61.3°F

55.1°F

+6.2°F in Norfolk, VA

Annual Precipitation

44.8 in

36.5 in

+8.3 in in Norfolk, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Norfolk, VA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.2

15.7

+9% in Norfolk, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.20

$25.12

+8% in Norfolk, VA

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 Norfolk, VA

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 (VA / KS)

5.3%

6.5%

+1.2 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

5.75%

5.58%

+0.2 pp in VA

Norfolk vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Norfolk or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 24% below Norfolk, VA's $1,230, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Norfolk than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Norfolk versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Norfolk or Topeka?: Norfolk is taxed under Virginia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).