Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or Topeka?

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

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Philadelphia versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Philadelphia or Topeka?

Philadelphia is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Philadelphia vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

$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 Philadelphia, PA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Philadelphia, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,698 in Philadelphia, PA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 8% higher in Philadelphia, PA. Pennsylvania has a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Philadelphia, PA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,126

$702

+38% in Philadelphia, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,189

$758

+36% in Philadelphia, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,394

$977

+30% in Philadelphia, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,177

+16% in Philadelphia, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$232,400

$130,600

+44% in Philadelphia, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$60,698

$55,902

+8% in Philadelphia, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,310

$49,540

+9% in Philadelphia, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

38.2 yr

+3.1 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

52.3%

59.2%

+6.9 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.6%

29.1%

+5.5 pp in Philadelphia, PA

Avg Commute

32.0 min

16.7 min

+15.3 min in Philadelphia, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

917.1

856.5

+7% in Philadelphia, PA

Property Crime

4,615.3

3,660.2

+21% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

55.1°F

+2.0°F in Philadelphia, PA

Annual Precipitation

48.5 in

36.5 in

+12.0 in in Philadelphia, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Philadelphia, PA

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.7

+28% in Philadelphia, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$25.12

+4% in Philadelphia, PA

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 Philadelphia, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Philadelphia, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Philadelphia, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Philadelphia, PA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (PA / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

3.07%

5.58%

+2.5 pp in KS

Philadelphia vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Philadelphia or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Philadelphia, PA's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Philadelphia than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Philadelphia versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Philadelphia or Topeka?: Philadelphia is taxed under Pennsylvania's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.07% and a 6% 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).