Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Topeka?

Pittsburgh 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).

Pittsburgh vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania

$1,320/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,320 in Pittsburgh, PA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Pittsburgh, PA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $64,137 in Pittsburgh, PA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 13% higher in Pittsburgh, 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.

Pittsburgh, PA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,109

$702

+37% in Pittsburgh, PA

1 Bedroom

$1,079

$758

+30% in Pittsburgh, PA

2 Bedroom

$1,269

$977

+23% in Pittsburgh, PA

3 Bedroom

$1,450

$1,177

+19% in Pittsburgh, PA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$193,200

$130,600

+32% in Pittsburgh, PA

Income

Median Household Income

$64,137

$55,902

+13% in Pittsburgh, PA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,650

$49,540

+0% in Pittsburgh, PA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

38.2 yr

+4.7 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

47.2%

59.2%

+12.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

47.8%

29.1%

+18.7 pp in Pittsburgh, PA

Avg Commute

23.1 min

16.7 min

+6.4 min in Pittsburgh, PA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

436

856.5

+96% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,315.7

3,660.2

+58% 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

51.8°F

55.1°F

+3.3°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

39.3 in

36.5 in

+2.8 in in Pittsburgh, PA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.7

15.7

+28% in Pittsburgh, PA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.08

$25.12

+4% in Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh, PA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Pittsburgh, PA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Pittsburgh, PA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Pittsburgh, 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

Pittsburgh vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Pittsburgh or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Pittsburgh, PA's $1,320, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Pittsburgh than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $43,000 a year in Pittsburgh versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Pittsburgh or Topeka?: Pittsburgh 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).