Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Topeka?

Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Paterson vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Paterson, NJ versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $53,766 in Paterson, NJ and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 4% higher in Topeka, KS. New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Paterson, NJ

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$786

$702

+11% in Paterson, NJ

1 Bedroom

$1,183

$758

+36% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$1,468

$977

+33% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,729

$1,177

+32% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$335,400

$130,600

+61% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$53,766

$55,902

+4% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$61,430

$49,540

+19% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.3 yr

38.2 yr

+4.9 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

26.2%

59.2%

+33.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

12.5%

29.1%

+16.6 pp in Topeka, KS

Avg Commute

23.1 min

16.7 min

+6.4 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,010.1

856.5

+15% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

2,391.4

3,660.2

+53% 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

52.2°F

55.1°F

+2.9°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

49.0 in

36.5 in

+12.6 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Paterson, NJ

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.9

15.7

+37% in Paterson, NJ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$17.68

$25.12

+42% in Topeka, KS

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Paterson, NJ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Paterson, NJ

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Paterson, NJ

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Paterson, NJ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NJ / KS)

6.625%

6.5%

+0.1 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.75%

5.58%

+5.2 pp in NJ

Paterson vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Paterson or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Paterson than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $47,000 a year in Paterson versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Paterson or Topeka?: Paterson is taxed under New Jersey's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).