Living Cost Compare
Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Oklahoma City, OK versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Oklahoma City, OK, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 16% higher in Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Oklahoma City, OK
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$795
$702
+12% in Oklahoma City, OK
1 Bedroom
$882
$758
+14% in Oklahoma City, OK
2 Bedroom
$1,085
$977
+10% in Oklahoma City, OK
3 Bedroom
$1,356
$1,177
+13% in Oklahoma City, OK

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$215,100
$130,600
+39% in Oklahoma City, OK

Income

Median Household Income
$66,702
$55,902
+16% in Oklahoma City, OK
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$47,230
$49,540
+5% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.0 yr
38.2 yr
+3.2 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
59.1%
59.2%
+0.1 pp in Topeka, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
34.0%
29.1%
+4.9 pp in Oklahoma City, OK
Avg Commute
22.2 min
16.7 min
+5.5 min in Oklahoma City, OK

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
685.9
856.5
+25% in Topeka, KS
Property Crime
2,929.1
3,660.2
+25% 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
61.5°F
55.1°F
+6.4°F in Oklahoma City, OK
Annual Precipitation
36.5 in
36.5 in
+0.1 in in Oklahoma City, OK

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)
$1.75
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
14.3
15.7
+10% in Topeka, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$31.25
$25.12
+20% in Oklahoma City, OK

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 Oklahoma City, OK
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
$0.62
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OK / KS)
4.5%
6.5%
+2.0 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.50%
5.58%
+1.1 pp in KS

Oklahoma City vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Oklahoma City or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Oklahoma City, OK's $1,070, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Oklahoma City than in Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Oklahoma City versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Oklahoma City or Topeka?
Oklahoma City is taxed under Oklahoma's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).