Is it cheaper to live in Rapid City or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rapid City, SD's $970, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Rapid City versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Rapid City or Topeka?

Rapid City is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Rapid City vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Rapid City

South Dakota

$970/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $970 in Rapid City, SD versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rapid City, SD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $65,712 in Rapid City, SD and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 15% higher in Rapid City, SD. South Dakota has no state income tax and a 4.2% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rapid City, SD

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$533

$702

+32% in Topeka, KS

1 Bedroom

$807

$758

+6% in Rapid City, SD

2 Bedroom

$1,156

$977

+15% in Rapid City, SD

3 Bedroom

$1,260

$1,177

+7% in Rapid City, SD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$270,000

$130,600

+52% in Rapid City, SD

Income

Median Household Income

$65,712

$55,902

+15% in Rapid City, SD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$46,270

$49,540

+7% in Topeka, KS

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

39.0 yr

38.2 yr

+0.8 yr in Rapid City, SD

Homeownership

61.6%

59.2%

+2.4 pp in Rapid City, SD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

36.4%

29.1%

+7.3 pp in Rapid City, SD

Avg Commute

17.4 min

16.7 min

+0.7 min in Rapid City, SD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

718.9

856.5

+19% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,795.8

3,660.2

+4% in Rapid City, SD

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

47.1°F

55.1°F

+8.0°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

16.3 in

36.5 in

+20.2 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.85/gal

about equal

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.4

15.7

+2% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.26

$25.12

+65% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (SD / KS)

4.2%

6.5%

+2.3 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.58%

+5.6 pp in KS

Rapid City vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rapid City or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Rapid City, SD's $970, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rapid City than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $32,000 a year in Rapid City versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Rapid City or Topeka?: Rapid City is taxed under South Dakota's rules (no state income tax and a 4.2% 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).