Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Topeka?

Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Rutland vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Rutland, VT versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 16% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,000 in Rutland, VT and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 2% higher in Topeka, KS. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Rutland, VT

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$893

$702

+21% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$856

$758

+11% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,097

$977

+11% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,207

$1,177

+2% in Rutland, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$176,400

$130,600

+26% in Rutland, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$55,000

$55,902

+2% in Topeka, KS

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$49,540

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

48.5 yr

38.2 yr

+10.3 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

52.7%

59.2%

+6.5 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.2%

29.1%

+3.1 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

14.7 min

16.7 min

+2.0 min in Topeka, KS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

487.8

856.5

+76% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

3,973.3

3,660.2

+8% in Rutland, VT

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

44.6°F

55.1°F

+10.5°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

36.5 in

+4.0 in in Rutland, VT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.4

15.7

+36% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$25.12

+4% in Rutland, VT

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 Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / KS)

6.5%

+0.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

5.58%

+3.2 pp in VT

Rutland vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 16% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rutland than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Topeka?: Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% 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).