Is it cheaper to live in Rochester or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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 $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Topeka?

Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Rochester, NY versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rochester, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $46,628 in Rochester, NY and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 17% higher in Topeka, KS. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rochester, NY

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$750

$702

+6% in Rochester, NY

1 Bedroom

$857

$758

+12% in Rochester, NY

2 Bedroom

$1,114

$977

+12% in Rochester, NY

3 Bedroom

$1,240

$1,177

+5% in Rochester, NY

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$120,600

$130,600

+8% in Topeka, KS

Income

Median Household Income

$46,628

$55,902

+20% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,210

$49,540

+3% in Rochester, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.5 yr

38.2 yr

+4.7 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

37.2%

59.2%

+22.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.9%

29.1%

+0.8 pp in Rochester, NY

Avg Commute

18.9 min

16.7 min

+2.2 min in Rochester, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

690

856.5

+24% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,533.4

3,660.2

+4% 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

48.2°F

55.1°F

+6.9°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

34.3 in

36.5 in

+2.2 in in Topeka, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.85/gal

+7% in Rochester, NY

Area: New York vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

15.7

+47% in Rochester, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.01

$25.12

+7% in Rochester, NY

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 Rochester, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Rochester, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Rochester, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Rochester, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / KS)

6.5%

+2.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

5.58%

+5.3 pp in NY

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 19% below Rochester, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
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 $34,000 a year in Rochester versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Rochester or Topeka?: Rochester is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).