Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Topeka?

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

Seattle vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,030 in Seattle, WA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 54% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle, WA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 54% higher in Seattle, WA. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Seattle, WA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,638

$702

+57% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,858

$758

+59% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$2,359

$977

+59% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,918

$1,177

+60% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$912,100

$130,600

+86% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$121,984

$55,902

+54% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$49,540

+32% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

38.2 yr

+2.7 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

44.2%

59.2%

+15.0 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

67.5%

29.1%

+38.4 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

26.6 min

16.7 min

+9.9 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

788.6

856.5

+9% in Topeka, KS

Property Crime

5,108.8

3,660.2

+28% in Seattle, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.5°F

55.1°F

+1.6°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

37.7 in

36.5 in

+1.3 in in Seattle, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.41/gal

$3.85/gal

+29% in Seattle, WA

Area: Seattle vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

Adult base one-way fare — King County Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

15.7

+5% in Topeka, KS

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$21.34

$25.12

+18% in Topeka, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WA / KS)

6.5%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

None

5.58%

+5.6 pp in KS

Seattle vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Seattle than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Topeka?: Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).