Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Providence, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Providence or Topeka?

Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Providence vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Providence

Rhode Island

$1,330/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,330 in Providence, RI versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 29% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Providence, RI, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $66,772 in Providence, RI and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 16% higher in Providence, RI. Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Providence, RI

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,116

$702

+37% in Providence, RI

1 Bedroom

$1,030

$758

+26% in Providence, RI

2 Bedroom

$1,323

$977

+26% in Providence, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,627

$1,177

+28% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$322,800

$130,600

+60% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$66,772

$55,902

+16% in Providence, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$53,680

$49,540

+8% in Providence, RI

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

32.9 yr

38.2 yr

+5.3 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

41.2%

59.2%

+18.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

34.7%

29.1%

+5.6 pp in Providence, RI

Avg Commute

25.0 min

16.7 min

+8.3 min in Providence, RI

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

282.4

856.5

+203% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

1,665.6

3,660.2

+120% 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

51.6°F

55.1°F

+3.5°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

47.2 in

36.5 in

+10.7 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Providence, RI

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.2

15.7

+46% in Providence, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.75

$25.12

+2% in Providence, RI

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 Providence, RI

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Providence, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Providence, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (RI / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

5.99%

5.58%

+0.4 pp in RI

Providence vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Providence or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 29% below Providence, RI's $1,330, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Providence than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $41,000 a year in Providence versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Providence or Topeka?: Providence is taxed under Rhode Island's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).