Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Topeka?

Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Rochester vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,290/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,290 in Rochester, MN versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, MN, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,767 in Rochester, MN and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 36% higher in Rochester, MN. Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rochester, MN

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,080

$702

+35% in Rochester, MN

1 Bedroom

$1,106

$758

+31% in Rochester, MN

2 Bedroom

$1,243

$977

+21% in Rochester, MN

3 Bedroom

$1,646

$1,177

+28% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$287,500

$130,600

+55% in Rochester, MN

Income

Median Household Income

$87,767

$55,902

+36% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$60,620

$49,540

+18% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

38.2 yr

+1.8 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

65.4%

59.2%

+6.2 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

50.1%

29.1%

+21.0 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

17.2 min

16.7 min

+0.5 min in Rochester, MN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

158.9

856.5

+439% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

1,379

3,660.2

+165% 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

45.4°F

55.1°F

+9.7°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

33.0 in

36.5 in

+3.4 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.96/gal

$3.85/gal

+3% in Rochester, MN

Area: Minnesota vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

17.5

15.7

+10% in Rochester, MN

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$14.79

$25.12

+70% 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 (MN / KS)

6.875%

6.5%

+0.4 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

9.85%

5.58%

+4.3 pp in MN

Rochester vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below Rochester, MN's $1,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rochester than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $44,000 a year in Rochester versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Topeka?: Rochester is taxed under Minnesota's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).