Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Salem or Topeka?

Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Topeka under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Salem vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,170 in Salem, OR versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,900 in Salem, OR and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 22% higher in Salem, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Salem, OR

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,075

$702

+35% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$989

$758

+23% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,337

$977

+27% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,778

$1,177

+34% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$382,400

$130,600

+66% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$71,900

$55,902

+22% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,310

$49,540

+10% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

38.2 yr

+2.5 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

55.7%

59.2%

+3.5 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.4%

29.1%

+2.3 pp in Salem, OR

Avg Commute

22.4 min

16.7 min

+5.7 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

540.6

856.5

+58% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

2,878.6

3,660.2

+27% 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

53.0°F

55.1°F

+2.1°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

36.5 in

+3.2 in in Salem, OR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.21/gal

$3.85/gal

+26% in Salem, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

15.7

+4% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.60

$25.12

+16% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / KS)

None

6.5%

+6.5 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

5.58%

+4.3 pp in OR

Salem vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Salem than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Salem or Topeka?: Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).