Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or Topeka?

Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $30,000 in Topeka.

Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or Topeka?

Tacoma 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).

Tacoma vs Topeka Cost of Living 2026

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Topeka

Kansas

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,500 in Tacoma, WA versus $940 in Topeka, KS. Overall, Topeka, KS is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma, WA and $55,902 in Topeka, KS — about 33% higher in Tacoma, 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.

Tacoma, WA

Topeka, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,178

$702

+40% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,332

$758

+43% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,693

$977

+42% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,094

$1,177

+44% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$454,600

$130,600

+71% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$83,857

$55,902

+33% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$49,540

+32% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

38.2 yr

+0.9 yr in Topeka, KS

Homeownership

56.5%

59.2%

+2.7 pp in Topeka, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.5%

29.1%

+4.4 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

29.0 min

16.7 min

+12.3 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,064.4

856.5

+20% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

5,695.2

3,660.2

+36% in Tacoma, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

52.1°F

55.1°F

+3.0°F in Topeka, KS

Annual Precipitation

43.0 in

36.5 in

+6.6 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.26/gal

$3.85/gal

+27% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Washington vs Midwest (PADD 2).

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 Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Topeka, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Topeka, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Tacoma, 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

Tacoma vs Topeka — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Tacoma or Topeka?: Topeka, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Tacoma than in Topeka?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $53,000 a year in Tacoma versus $30,000 in Topeka.
Which has lower taxes, Tacoma or Topeka?: Tacoma 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).