Is it cheaper to live in Raleigh or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Raleigh versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Raleigh or Topeka?

Raleigh is taxed under North Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Raleigh vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Raleigh

North Carolina

$1,510/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,510 in Raleigh, NC versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Raleigh, NC, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $82,424 in Raleigh, NC and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 32% higher in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina has a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Raleigh, NC

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,301

$702

+46% in Raleigh, NC

1 Bedroom

$1,323

$758

+43% in Raleigh, NC

2 Bedroom

$1,462

$977

+33% in Raleigh, NC

3 Bedroom

$1,715

$1,177

+31% in Raleigh, NC

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$377,800

$130,600

+65% in Raleigh, NC

Income

Median Household Income

$82,424

$55,902

+32% in Raleigh, NC

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,990

$49,540

+5% in Raleigh, NC

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.7 yr

38.2 yr

+3.5 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

51.2%

59.2%

+8.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

52.9%

29.1%

+23.8 pp in Raleigh, NC

Avg Commute

23.4 min

16.7 min

+6.7 min in Raleigh, NC

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

491.5

856.5

+74% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,838.4

3,660.2

+29% 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

60.6°F

55.1°F

+5.5°F in Raleigh, NC

Annual Precipitation

46.0 in

36.5 in

+9.6 in in Raleigh, NC

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Raleigh, NC

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

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$1.25

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.7

15.7

+7% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$30.10

$25.12

+17% in Raleigh, NC

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Topeka, KS

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Raleigh, NC

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Topeka, KS

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NC / KS)

4.75%

6.5%

+1.8 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

3.99%

5.58%

+1.6 pp in KS

Raleigh vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Raleigh or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Raleigh, NC's $1,510, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Raleigh than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Raleigh versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Raleigh or Topeka?: Raleigh is taxed under North Carolina's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.99% and a 4.75% 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).