Living Cost Compare
Omaha

Nebraska

$1,140/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 $1,140 in Omaha, NE versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Omaha, NE, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha, NE and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 23% higher in Omaha, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Omaha, NE
Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio
$908
$702
+23% in Omaha, NE
1 Bedroom
$984
$758
+23% in Omaha, NE
2 Bedroom
$1,193
$977
+18% in Omaha, NE
3 Bedroom
$1,437
$1,177
+18% in Omaha, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$230,100
$130,600
+43% in Omaha, NE

Income

Median Household Income
$72,708
$55,902
+23% in Omaha, NE
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$49,660
$49,540
+0% in Omaha, NE

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.3 yr
38.2 yr
+2.9 yr in Topeka, KS
Homeownership
57.7%
59.2%
+1.5 pp in Topeka, KS
Bachelor's+ (25+)
40.3%
29.1%
+11.2 pp in Omaha, NE
Avg Commute
19.6 min
16.7 min
+2.9 min in Omaha, NE

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
359
856.5
+139% in Topeka, KS
Property Crime
3,153.5
3,660.2
+16% 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
51.1°F
55.1°F
+4.0°F in Topeka, KS
Annual Precipitation
30.6 in
36.5 in
+5.8 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)
$1.25
—

Adult base one-way fare — Metro Transit (Omaha) vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
13.3
15.7
+19% in Topeka, KS
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.10
$25.12
+25% 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 (NE / KS)
5.5%
6.5%
+1.0 pp in KS
Income Tax (top rate)
4.55%
5.58%
+1.0 pp in KS

Omaha vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Omaha or Topeka?
Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Omaha, NE's $1,140, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Omaha than in Topeka?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $39,000 a year in Omaha versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Omaha or Topeka?
Omaha is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).