Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Reno or Topeka?

Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Reno vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,350 in Reno, NV versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,448 in Reno, NV and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 29% higher in Reno, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Reno, NV

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$964

$702

+27% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,206

$758

+37% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,518

$977

+36% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,885

$1,177

+38% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$498,600

$130,600

+74% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$78,448

$55,902

+29% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$49,540

+0% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

38.2 yr

+0.9 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

49.4%

59.2%

+9.8 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.7%

29.1%

+6.6 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

20.6 min

16.7 min

+3.9 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

528.9

856.5

+62% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,489.3

3,660.2

+47% 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

53.8°F

55.1°F

+1.3°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

7.4 in

36.5 in

+29.1 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Reno, NV

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.1

15.7

+20% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$13.83

$25.12

+82% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / KS)

6.85%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.58%

+5.6 pp in KS

Reno vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Reno than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Reno versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Reno or Topeka?: Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).